These Penguins have the ability to string together stretches of play where they look like a competent team able to make a run at the playoffs. Alas, they are not good enough to do it for a full 60 minutes and as a result they love nothing more than to blow multiple goal leads. It is a regular occurrence and why they are likelier to be fighting for lottery odds rather than the eighth playoff spot in the conference.
Pens have now lost 8 two-goal leads this season and are 3-3-2 in those games.
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91.bsky.social) November 19, 2024 at 9:40 PM
It is nice they are able to build those leads. It doesn’t amount to much when you are one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Which is a real strange place to be considering none of their offseason acquisitions scream offense.
The Penguins started strong (for them) winning the shot attempt battle in the first period 14-13. In periods two and three they got destroyed. Tampa took over and dominated shot attempts 51-18 in the final two frames. Pittsburgh finished the game with a 34.52 xGF%. They were fortunate to get to overtime considering the change in play. You aren’t going to hold too many two goal leads when the game flow is that lopsided.
Tristan Jarry was back in net and wouldn’t you know it he stopped the first shot he faced, progress. Sarcasm aside he played better than he has keeping the Lightning to two goals during regulation. He mixed in some decent saves and had an acceptable performance, until it wasn’t. His work on the game winning goal in overtime was shoddy and unacceptable. This isn’t a charity. You have to earn your ice time and seemingly every Jarry start there is evidence of a player not meeting the standard.
The Penguins scored a power play goal and if they were smart they would learn why they scored the goal they did. Other teams still do not respect the Penguins power play because it is a stagnant mess. They insist on playing catch from the tops of the circle to the blue line with very little movement or purpose. Thus, the penalty killers can cheat up knowing the Penguins refuse to change anything. It makes it easy to shut down passing lanes and there is absolutely no threat of a dangerous shot. So the power play either wastes time on the perimeter trying to continue to pass up top on perimeter or they turn it over and have to break the puck out all over again. On the goal last night they decided to relieve the pressure by getting the puck to the goal line and the person on the goal line was none other than Sidney Crosby. He made quick work of the opportunity and threaded a quick pass through Hedman’s leg to Rakell who has been playing the bumper role. He absolutely ripped the shot and it was a quality goal.
If the Penguins want more time and space on the power play they have to be willing to find the pressure reliefs based on what the PK is showing. If they do they can make plays like this. If the other team starts cheating lower, well now you can go back up top like they are trying to force now, except it will then work. It is deflating to see a professional team with multiple hall of fame players fail to understand the basics of a power play.
After 21 games the Penguins have 18 standings points. Given ware are through ~25% of the season if you multiply that by four you get 72 standings points. The same amount as they had in 2012-13 during the lockout shortened season of 48 games. You would have to go back to Crosby’s rookie season to see a team with fewer standings points.
They are who they are.
Thanks for reading!
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