3 Takeaways From Penguins Embarrassing Season Opening Loss

The Pittsburgh Penguins got a dose of actuality on Wednesday evening, dropping their season and residential opener 6-0 to the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners, the New York Rangers.

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Final yr, the Penguins have been a non-playoff group, and so they seemed to be no match for New York, which got here inside a number of wins of the Stanley Cup Closing.

Regardless of a busy offseason, together with the acquisition of Rutger McGroarty, the Penguins have been uncovered in Sport 1, and despite the fact that it’s one sport, they don’t seem to be in the identical class because the Rangers.

Let’s talk about a number of takeaways from the worst season-opening loss within the Sidney Crosby period.

Tristan Jarry is Going to Make and Break the Penguins’ season

It is just one sport, however Tristan Jarry was left frolicked to dry and did not do himself any favors, limping away with a .854 SV%, stopping 35 pictures on 41 makes an attempt.

Though the ultimate rating learn 6-0, the embattled Penguins’ number-one netminder really gave up seven objectives, with one referred to as again on an offside. When fascinated by the sport, efficiency, and Pittsburgh’s probability to qualify for the playoffs, their high goalie cannot surrender six or seven objectives, irrespective of how sturdy the opponent is.

It looks as if the guide is out on the 29-year-old as a result of, identical to his pre-season begins, groups are aiming and discovering the again of the web on his blocker aspect. It seems to be an space of concern, and until he works on stopping objectives from that aspect, it is going to be an extended season.

Now, it wasn’t all dangerous. There have been a number of occasions that Jarry made saves to protect the rating as is. Nevertheless, Igor Shesterkin, who simply turned down a rumored extension at a $11 million wage, outplayed Jarry, ending the night with 29 saves. If the Penguins had a Vezina-caliber netminder, they’d be laughing all the way in which to the division title. As a substitute, defeats like Wednesday evening increase extra questions concerning the future.

Penguins’ Third Line Lone Spotlight of the Evening

It’s a secure guess that nobody had Jesse Puljujarvi, Lars Eller, and Rutger McGroarty as the perfect line for the Penguins on opening evening on their bingo playing cards.

On a particular evening like a house opener, superstars like Crosby and Evgeni Malkin ought to placed on a present and remind followers who have not seen them in a number of months how particular it’s to observe them.

Though the Pittsburgh legends have been noticeable of their nineteenth season opener collectively, they mixed for 3 pictures and did nothing to assist their group escape of a daily season energy play hunch. After ending thirtieth general on the person benefit, the Penguins picked up the place they left off, going 0-for-3.

Regardless of the shortage of firepower from the celebrities, Pittsburgh’s finest skaters have been undoubtedly the brand new third line, which consisted of Puljujarvi, Eller, and McGroarty. The trio mixed for eight pictures and have been solely minus-3, which every skater on for a aim in opposition to.

Whether or not getting pictures on aim, creating possibilities, or taking part in accountable hockey, the third line buzzed many of the evening and was noticeable each time they hopped over the boards collectively.

Though nobody from the road discovered the again of the web, it is a optimistic signal that good issues are on the way in which, which might assist offset the strain from the highest two traces to supply all of the offense.

It is Solely One Sport, however It Was a Catastrophe

The Penguins are the second-oldest group within the NHL and seemed to be a step behind New York your complete contest. Whether or not surrendering odd-man rushes or not sustaining sufficient puck possession to generate possibilities, the group regarded like they have been in a special league than the Rangers.

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Pittsburgh was outshot and outplayed within the crease, which was the 2 fundamental causes they misplaced horribly in entrance of its hometown followers. As a Stanley Cup contender for the second consecutive yr, New York proved its lineup is full, getting offense from all 4 traces.

Fortunately, the Penguins do not need to play groups just like the Rangers for 81 video games, but when the group is critical about returning to the playoffs, they can not turtle in these high-profile matchups. Because the second oldest group within the league, their collective experiences are one thing the veterans have to faucet into and journey out the slumps and dangerous nights.

It will likely be fascinating to see how they reply tonight with a matchup in opposition to the Detroit Crimson Wings.

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