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Chris Kunitz | Winger

Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Age / DOB:  (33) / 9/26/1979
Ht / Wt:  6'0' / 193
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Chris Kunitz was reunited with Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis at Thursday's practice.
"I'm sure [coach Dan Bylsma] is pretty comfortable with us because we've played together for so long," said Crosby. The move sent Jarome Iginla back to the right side with Evgeni Malkin and James Neal. These may be the line combinations that Bylsma chooses to go with in Game 2 versus Ottawa Friday night. May 17 - 10:14 AM

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Date:

Chris Kunitz and Evgeni Malkin generated a goal and an assist each in Pittsburgh's Game 1 victory against Ottawa to open Round 2 of the playoffs.

Kunitz helped set up Malkin's game-winning goal just past the midway point of the first period, prior to netting his third marker of the postseason on a power play late in the second frame. Malkin also earned an assist on a man advantage tally by defenseman Paul Martin. Pascal Dupuis potted a shorthanded goal in the third period to finish Tuesday night's scoring. Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow, Doug Murray, Kris Letang and James Neal collected an assist each in the contest. Neal was also assessed three minor penalties in Game 1.
May 14 - 10:40 PM

Pittsburgh left winger Chris Kunitz is in the enviable position of being wanted as a linemate by two of the finest centers in NHL history.

Both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin would like Kunitz to be their left winger for the remainder of the playoffs. Kunitz has spent a lot of his Pittsburgh career playing alongside Crosby, including most of this season as Crosby ran up 56 points en route to being a finalist for the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player. Last season, when Crosby missed a lot of games because of injury, Kunitz played on a line with Malkin, who won the NHL scoring title and Hart Trophy, and right winger James Neal. "It's a good problem to have when you get to play with either one of those guys," Kunitz said of coach Dan Bylsma's decisions on line combinations. "Throughout my years in Pittsburgh, I've had a chance to play with both. They're both such elite talents that they make players around them way better. If you work hard, they're going to reward you with good plays."
May 12 - 11:49 AM

Chris Kunitz netted a pair of power-play goals, including the game winner in overtime, to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 series lead against the Islanders.

He also had an assist and five shots in the contest. Kunitz enjoyed one of his better regular seasons despite the lockout-shortened schedule and he seems to have rediscovered that touch after a sluggish start to the playoffs.
May 6 - 12:40 PM

Chris Kunitz skated alongside Evgeni Malkin and James Neal in Saturday's finale against Carolina and he may start the playoffs there as well.

Even if Sidney Crosby is available for Game 1 Wednesday night against the New York Islanders, Kunitz may remain with Malkin and Neal. If that were to happen then Jarome Iginla would joined Crosby and Pascal Dupuis.

Chris Kunitz joined Jarome Iginla and Evgeni Malkin on Pittsburgh's top line during Monday's practice.

"We immediately had some comfort level putting Chris on that line with Geno," coach Dan Bylsma said. "That's what we'll definitely be seeing going forward, starting in Carolina." James Neal is out with a concussion and Sidney Crosby is sidelined with broken jaw, so the decision to move Kunitz up wasn't a difficult one to make. He has amassed 20 goals and 46 points in 39 contests this season.
Apr 9 - 9:35 AM

Chris Kunitz contributed two assists in Pittsburgh's 3-1 win over Toronto.

He moved into second place in the league scoring race with 39 points in 28 matches. His linemate Sidney Crosby sits in first place with 47 points (12 goals, 35 assists) this campaign. Kunitz also leads the NHL with a plus-23 rating. He is enjoying a fantastic year and should be started in all formats.
Mar 15 - 9:02 AM

Chris Kunitz enjoyed a phenomenal night as he scored three goals and added two assists in the Penguins 6-1 win over the New York Islanders.

The combination of Kunitz and Sidney Crosby was unstoppable on this night, as Crosby racked up five assists by counting on every play that Kunitz did. James Neal got in on the fun with a goal and two assists while Pascal Dupuis scored twice and Kris Letang registered a pair of helpers.
Mar 10 - 9:41 PM

Chris Kunitz seems to have the Midas Touch when it comes to bringing out the best in the Penguins' star players.

Both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have enjoyed their best successes with Kunitz on their left side. For his part, Crosby loves playing with Kunitz. "He has a consistency about him," Crosby said. "He just does so many little things, maybe things that people don't always realize. He has the ability to create space for you. He is so good on the forecheck, and he's got that ability to use it to force turnovers and to open things up for me. And you know he's always going to the net." Look for Kunitz, who is third in NHL scoring with 31 points, to continue playing with Sid the Kid.
Mar 9 - 11:45 AM

Chris Kunitz is in the midst of a career-high seven game points streak.

He also has a personal-best five-game goal-scoring streak. It helps when you're on the same line as Sidney Crosby. "Chris does a lot of little things well, to be a good complementary guy to play with," coach Dan Bylsma said. "He goes hard to the net, he forces turnovers, he's a physical guy. And, maybe more so this year than others, he's moved into that slot area and been a weapon with his shot and being open in that area. He's done that really well." He has 14 goals and 17 assists, and he is a very strong play right now.
Mar 8 - 11:07 AM

Chris Kunitz scored a pair of goals and added an assist for the Penguins in a 5-4 comeback win over Philadelphia Thursday night.

Playing the wing alongside the best passer in the world certainly has its advantages, as Kunitz stands sixth in the NHL with 14 goals and fourth with 31 points. James Neal, Tyler Kennedy and Pascal Dupuis all tallied for the Pens while Crosby recorded three assists in the win.
Mar 8 - 12:25 AM

Chris Kunitz potted a goal in a 4-3 win over the Lightning on Monday night.

The physical Pittsburgh winger has been on fire this season playing once again alongside Sidney Crosby (a goal and an assist tonight). With the marker tonight, Kunitz now has 12 goals and 28 points in 23 games in this 48-game shortened season.
Mar 4 - 11:21 PM

Chris Kunitz scored two goals and registered an assist in Pittsburgh's 7-6 overtime victory on Saturday.

Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists, giving him 34 points in just 22 games. Brandon Sutter and Matt Cooke each scored twice for the Penguins. Beau Bennett, Simon Despres, Deryk Engelland, James Neal, and Brooks Orpik each registered an assist.
Mar 2 - 10:08 PM

Chris Kunitz scored the only Pittsburgh goal in a 4-1 loss to the Hurricanes Thursday night.

Kunitz is enjoying a fantastic season and although playing alongside Sidney Crosby has something to do with it, he deserves credit for the production he registered. Both Crosby and Matt Niskanen drew assists on the marker.
Feb 28 - 10:29 PM

Chris Kunitz potted a goal as the Penguins defeated the Panthers on Friday night 3-1.

Kunitz has built on his career-best 2011-12 campaign with seven goals and 20 points in 18 games this year. As such, he's well worth starting every night while he's on this roll. Matt Niskanen and Dustin Jeffrey had the other markers. Five different Penguins had assists.
Feb 22 - 9:40 PM

Depth Charts

All Positions
PosRoleName
C1Sidney Crosby
2Evgeni Malkin
3Jussi Jokinen
4Brandon Sutter
5Dustin Jeffrey
6Joe Vitale
LW1Chris Kunitz
2Brenden Morrow
3Matt Cooke
4Tanner Glass
RW1James Neal
2Jarome Iginla
3Pascal Dupuis
4Beau Bennett
5Tyler Kennedy
6Craig Adams
D1Kris Letang
2Paul Martin
3Matt Niskanen
4Brooks Orpik
5Deryk Engelland
6Doug Murray
7Simon Despres
8Robert Bortuzzo
G1Marc-Andre Fleury
2Tomas Vokoun
3Eric Hartzell