It wasn’t the best effort of the year for the Penguins. They didn’t show up for the second period and as a result gave up three goals. Add in an empty net goal and you have a 4-1 loss on a Tuesday in December. And that’s all this game has to be. A random Tuesday in December. Considering where this team has been on the injury front they’ve earned more than enough standings points so far to stay in things. They still have a few more weeks to navigate, but nobody has to feign panic or ask how this happened. Pittsburgh is still four points clear in the wild card race and only one point behind Philadelphia for third in the division.
Tristan Jarry broke the Penguins all-time shutout streak previously held by Tomas Vokoun. It was shortly thereafter he gave up three goals. The three goals were on 17 shots. It was only the third time this year Jarry has given up three goals in one game. Even a hot goalie can’t save you when you mail in an entire period.
Jake Guentzel scored his 17th goal of the year. Evgeni Malkin had an assist on the play. This is the 16th time out of 20 Malkin points he has appeared with Guentzel on the scoresheet since being placed together. I hope the team is putting some thought into what happens to the lines when Crosby comes back because after getting a taste of the good life it would be disappointing for Malkin to go back to same old same old.
John Marino has been great this year. He also got dusted by Shea Weber last night at the very end of the third period. It was the perfect punctuation for the kind of period the Penguins played
Who does he think he is? PK Subban?
Up next for the Penguins will be the Columbus Blue Jackets, who should be a favorable matchup, but this is the team that put a five spot on the Penguins the last time these teams played. That said the Blue Jackets and Kings provide a good opportunity for the Penguins to get back on track before they head on their Western Canada swing which will start on Tuesday.
Speaking of the Kings the name Tyler Toffoli keeps popping up in trade rumors. He has been a healthy scratch, been placed on the fourth line at times, and is an unrestricted free agent. He’s a name that doesn’t come with the acquisition cost Taylor Hall would. Food for thought moving forward.
Thanks for reading!
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