For the third consecutive game the Pittsburgh Penguins found themselves playing extra hockey. Unlike the other previous two contests, doing so against the Blue Jackets, and dropping the extra point, is quite the disappointing result.
Pittsburgh had a two goal lead in the third period with seven minutes left and squandered the lead. The Penguins played quite a bit of keep away in the 3v3 session which, in hindsight, was probably not the best strategy because they are not good in shootouts and that is what happens if you don’t score in overtime.
The reason they aren’t good in shootouts is primarily a Tristan Jarry issue. He is really bad in shootouts. He’s also really really really bad at stopping the first shot of the game. Yet again(!), he allowed the first shot of the game. This is the sixth time this season he has put the team down by a goal the very first time the other team gets a shot on cage. It is really unacceptable and deflating for the team. Here are some bad stats
This marks the 8th time this season Pens’ opponents have scored on their first shot. Sixth time vs. Jarry.
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91.bsky.social) January 7, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Tonight marks the 12th time in 42 games Pens have allowed a goal in the opening 4:00 of a game (28.6% of games).
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91.bsky.social) January 7, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Per NHL stats:
The most times allowing a goal on the first shot of a game in a single season by a Penguins goaltender is seven (Tom Barrasso in 1997-98). Matt Murray was the only other goaltender to do so six times (2018-19).
Please note this data is available since 1997-98.
— Rob Rossi (@robrossi.bsky.social) January 7, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Mike Sullivan was none to pleased with the performance
Sullivan on Jarry:
“I think he’s capable of more.”
— Rob Rossi (@robrossi.bsky.social) January 7, 2025 at 10:01 PM
*Narrator voice* He is not capable of more
Jarry remains a 5.375M boondoggle on the team. He has wildly underperformed this contract. The Penguins are currently in the bottom five in the league in 5v5 save percentage and a bottom seven team in all-situations save percentage. Pittsburgh would actually have a puncher’s chance at the playoffs if he was competent starting goalie. Now, this doesn’t let Alex Nedeljkovic off the hook. He’s been awful this year as well, but he’s not the starter and he isn’t paid like a 1A starter. Needless to say goaltending has been an issue for the team since Matt Murray flamed out after the sparkling start to his career.
On a positive note Rickard Rakell has continued to pump in goals this year. He had another two last night and almost got his third in overtime. He is up to 20 goals and a 39 goal pace on the season. It would be a career high. This is what the Penguins were looking for when he received his extension. I like Rakell as a player and he’s not the type of guy I would normally be looking to move out, however given the Penguins have only a 7% chance of making the playoffs I think we are looking at a sell high situation. The goals have been great, but we are talking about shooting percentage completely reshaping perception of a player. Here is a comparison from last year to this year.
Rakell after 40 games:
2023-24 (5-15-20, 95 shots, 5.3% shooting)
2024-25 (18-14-32, 96 shots, 18.8% shooting)
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91.bsky.social) January 5, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Rakell is 31 years old with three more years left on his contract. This might be the apex of how he plays the rest of the deal. I think the most pragmatic choice would be to trade him while his value is high. This can be at the deadline or in the offseason, but it would be one or the other for me. I just don’t think it is likely to expect this kind of production the next three years. He is currently shooting 19.6% which is a career high. Last year he was 9.1%. His career average is a respectable 11.6%. So again, shooting percentage can warp perceptions of players. Rickard Rakell is a great example of this so sell high.
Congratulations are in order for Sidney Crosby
Sid now NHL’s all-time faceoff win leader (15,183). Tracked since 1997.
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91.bsky.social) January 7, 2025 at 8:08 PM
He's one of the most complete players of all-time so it isn’t very surprising he would find himself at the top of a list like this.
On top of the new faceoff record Sid was able to add another two points and now has 44 points in 42 games. His assist to Rakell was exceptional
Lastly, Evgeni Malkin missed his first game action in a long time. This stretch was the longest both Crosby and Malkin have ever played together consecutively
It is a crying shame that both Crosby and Malkin have been healthy and playing well the past few seasons while Rutherford/Hextall/Dubas have totally botched providing them an appropriate support system. There is a timeline that exists where the Penguins are still pretty competitive with the health and production Crosby and Malkin have provided. They have deserved way better than they’ve gotten from the roster builders. It is really unfortunate.
Penguins welcome Connor McDavid to town tomorrow.
Thanks for reading!
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