Mark Madden: The Penguins' Struggles and the Need for Consistency
The Pittsburgh Penguins, currently second in the NHL's Metropolitan Division, are facing a critical juncture as the Olympics approach. While some may presume their playoff capabilities, recent performances paint a different picture.
The Penguins' last three games have been a cause for concern. In a thrilling yet nerve-wracking victory over the New York Rangers, they nearly squandered a 5-1 lead, conceding four goals in the third period. A mere five minutes could have resulted in a loss.
Their Monday match against Ottawa was equally uninspiring, with a 3-2 defeat. Goalie Arturs Silovs' prowess averted a rout, highlighting the team's overall lack of effort.
The latest game against the New York Islanders showcased the Penguins' struggles in multiple aspects.
Stuart Skinner, the goalie, faced criticism for his performance. He conceded goals that were not particularly challenging, indicating a lack of focus. During the Penguins' six-game winning streak, Skinner's recent performance has been underwhelming, allowing 10 goals on 34 shots.
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Poor decision-making and mistakes plagued the team. Egor Chinakhov, the team's top scorer, missed an easy scoring opportunity, opting for a risky pass instead. Brett Kulak's turnover directly led to the Islanders' overtime goal.
Sidney Crosby, a key player, is experiencing a slump. With only one goal in eight games, he appears rattled, a rare occurrence for the usually composed star.
Despite dominating play against the Islanders, the Penguins missed an opportunity to create a comfortable lead in the Metro Division.
Their current standings show a one-point advantage over the Islanders and a five-point lead over Columbus and Washington. However, the playoffs are far from guaranteed, let alone a successful playoff run.
The home defeat against Ottawa was particularly disappointing, as the team's six-game win streak seemed to have affected their performance. Coach Dan Muse's frustration was evident in the post-game press conference.
Herb Brooks' quote, 'These Penguins aren't talented enough to win on talent alone,' rings true. The team's success relies on more than just individual skill.
Every point is crucial for the Penguins, and they must recognize this fact. Each game, period, and shift demands their full effort and focus.
The consequences of not meeting this standard are dire. The Penguins risk missing the postseason by a narrow margin, securing a low draft pick, and squandering their season. Instead of a playoff run, they could face a disappointing outcome.
(Interestingly, a 4-12 record in overtime and shootouts can also lead to playoff elimination by a few points.)
Despite these challenges, the Penguins possess positive attributes. Their four lines work well together, Crosby is among the NHL's top players, Malkin is resurgent, Chinakhov is a game-changer, and they have a strong goaltending presence. However, these strengths must be consistently applied every night and for the full 60 minutes.
If this consistency is unattainable, the Penguins must strive for it as closely as possible.
A side note: The NHL's failure to protect Crosby, the league's icon at 38, is remarkable. He was clearly butt-ended during a faceoff by Jean-Gabriel Pageau, an Islander player with a rough style. Despite the clear contact, no call was made.
Even if it was unintentional, it's still a butt-end. Pageau's aggressive stick usage, especially during draws, exposes this risk. The Penguins have been on the receiving end of officiating decisions, including the butt-end incident, which has impacted their recent performance.
