Despite hard work Pens lose again.
Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Last night the Penguins took on the Ottawa Senators and dropped a game they had in hand.
The Penguins worked extremely hard in the 1st period to jump out to a 3-0 lead. Crosby got the first goal with a slapshot just above the left faceoff circle and sent an early message to the Senators that the Penguins would not be going down quietly. The on slaught by the Penguins continued in the 1st period by Beau Bennett, first goal in 30 games, working hard to get to the front of the net to put the puck in the net. The Penguins continued to work and work some more at the beginning of the game which resulted in a much needed third goal. Sidney Crosby made a one time back handed shot on net and Patric Hornqvist fought to get the rebound and score. The Penguins held the lead, and their heads high going into the first intermission.
The Penguins looked like the team you would expect fighting for a playoff spot and Fleury was making incredible saves. The hustle was evident, especially from the Penguins Captain which translated into goals and success early. If only there was not an intermission.
Fluery kept making saves practically standing on his head going into the 2nd period and the Penguins remained ignited by their 2st period performance. The trouble started when the Senators scored a shorthanded goal. It seemed the Penguins defense was out of position and Fleury was pulled out of the crease by an oncoming Senator who passed the puck cross ice and was deflected in off of Penguins defenseman Pouliot. The 3rd period proved to be more frustrating for the Penguins.
The Senators kicked off the 3rd period with a bang scoring 34 seconds in with a goal by rookiw forward, Mark Stone. Stone took advantage of yet another defensive zone turnover by the Penguins to make a 3-2 game. The Penguins struggled to clear the puck out of their zone and the powerplay went 0-4. There was an opportunity for the Penguins on the powerplay late in the 3rd period. Hornqvist received a pass deep in the slot and could have easily shot a quick wrister to beat Hammond but he chose to pass it off and the scoring chance feel through. That missed opportunity, among others, left the Penguins feeling wanting. The Senators clawed and scraped their way back to a tie with 1:48 left in the 3rd. Overtime was next and the Penguins would be on a pentalty kill due to too many men on the ice at the end of regulation.
The overtime period is something which should not have occured because the Penguins had a 3-0 lead at the end of the 1st period. There is no excuse for them to give up goals and scoring opportunities when you have a commanding lead like that. Does this team even care that they are facing season elimination? The Penguins killed off the penalty in Overtime but just moments later they gave up the winning goal to Ottawa. The Senators picked up 2 points but still trail the Penguins by 1.
The next game the Penguins play is against the New York Islanders on Friday night. The still have an opportunity to get into the playoffs but they have to want it. Based on another performance last night where they gave up a 3-0 lead and ignoring Ben Lovejoy's words of Saturday's game, "we have to close out games like this." Mike Johnston was asked after last night's epic failure if there is a common denominator to the numerous losses, especially with big leads early. His response was ridiculous and mind numbing. Simply put, with big leads comes a tendency to sit on your heels and the veterans need to keep that from happenening. What about the Head Coach? Why won't he light a fire under his team and ensure big leads in epic games are not blown? The Penguins and the coaching staff seemed to click early this season but in the last several months it has been a devastating show of who cares less.
The Penguins still have an opportunity to make it to the playoffs but fans are left scratching their head asking, "What's the point?". The strong and dynamic Penguins from the beginning of the season are nowhere to be found. We have seen the beaten and broken result of injuries and complacency. The Penguins can obviously play with heart and effort, we saw that last night; however, they need to play at that level for an entire game, not just 20 minutes. I believe they can rise to the occasion and silence the doubters in devastating fashion but they have to believe in themselves first.
