4 Takeaways From Penguins' 4-1 Loss To Hurricanes

The Pittsburgh Penguins wrapped up their mini-two-game homestand with a 1-1-0 document after struggling a 4-1 defeat by the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday evening.

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After a historic evening on Wednesday, the Penguins got here out flat and left their rookie goalie, Joel Blomqvist, out to dry. In the end, leaving city for a prolonged highway journey on this vogue has many within the fanbase questioning what’s subsequent.

Earlier than we get there, let’s wrap up the takeaways from the lackluster Friday evening defeat.

Too Many Passengers on Friday Night time

The Penguins went into Friday evening’s contest towards the Hurricanes driving a two-game win streak, however you would not have the ability to inform except you intently adopted the crew. Following the historic evening on Wednesday towards the Buffalo Sabres, the crew simply lacked the hassle to play 60 minutes.

Though the field rating exhibits 26 pictures on objective, that is without doubt one of the most deceiving numbers a fan may learn this season. The house crew did not register their first shot on objective till 11 minutes into the sport. They completed the primary interval with three pictures, because of Noel Acciari sneaking one other one in with 18 seconds left.

Nevertheless, the rating was 1-1, because of Drew O’Connor, the closest the Penguins would get for the rest of the competition, as Blomqvist was swamped with 39 pictures. Certain, there’s an argument to be made that Pittsburgh was good within the faceoff circle and was the extra bodily crew, however within the offensive zone, they simply by no means generated something and confirmed within the final result.

Opponents Have Figured Out Blomqvist’s Kryptonite…?

Blomqvist, who made his residence debut, gave up a career-high 4 objectives and completed the night with a .897 SV%, the primary time he is produced a sub .900 SV% on the NHL stage.

Though that’s not regarding as a result of it occurs to even the elite goalies, one factor caught the attention of the SportsNet Pittsburgh broadcast crew and followers who tuned into the sport. It seems the Hurricanes have discovered learn how to beat Blomqvist.

All 4 of their objectives on Friday evening had been excessive, whether or not over the blocker, the glove, and even the shoulder. Carolina simply stored capturing excessive and discovering the twine.

In the course of the broadcast, it was identified that the Finnish netminder had but to be overwhelmed on the ice by 4 video games, that means all 12 of his profession objectives towards have been scored whereas he is down within the butterfly.

Hopefully, Blomqvist will get the chance to work on this, or it may very well be a really lengthy season or brief profession for a netminder with a lot promise.

The Chase for Milestones is Over

Heading into the season, Sidney Crosby wanted a few factors for 1,600 in his profession, whereas Evgeni Malkin wanted a few objectives for 500. The chase for these moments was an enormous a part of the storylines in every of the Penguin’s first 5 video games, and now that they’re over, what’s subsequent?

Naturally, Crosby is inching nearer to a different milestone as a result of that is what hockey legends sometimes do. However what about these round him? For weeks, teammates have been searching for Crosby or Malkin to get these massive moments out of the best way, and now that it is occurred, how do all of them return to enjoying their video games?

Though the lineup has stayed the identical for the previous few video games, the road shuffling continues, win or lose. How do new Penguins discover a rhythm in the event that they repeatedly have new linemates? Furthermore, will somebody have the ability to step up and be the winger Crosby must proceed to be a point-per-game participant?

Sadly, after six video games, there look like extra questions than solutions, however hopefully, this upcoming highway journey by Western Canada will assist iron out some early-season points.

When Do We Begin Speaking About Teaching?

They usually say in sports activities which you could’t fireplace the gamers. Because the Penguins stumble by one other opening ten video games underneath the franchise’s longest-tenured coach, Mike Sullivan, at what level do they make a training change? As soon as once more, as they are saying, they cannot change the gamers.

In fact, common supervisor Kyle Dubas can change gamers, however now that Crosby has dedicated to the crew for the following three seasons, will he wish to usher them right into a rebuild, or may a brand new voice reignite this veteran crew for a playoff push?

Sooner or later, a call must be made relating to the membership’s future. If these lifeless performances maintain occurring, somebody within the group’s hierarchy should resolve who will lead the cost. In the end, legacies and previous achievements can solely purchase somebody a lot alternative.

Penguins & Hurricanes Trivia Solutions

How did you rating in our Game Day Trivia quiz? Listed below are the solutions.

1. Ron Francis & Jordan Staal

2. Jussi Jokinen

3. Six (Adams, Cullen, Hutchinson, Nordgren, Reechi, Zigomanis)

4. Mario Lemieux

5. Tom Barrasso

6. Ron Francis, Grant Jennings, Ulf Samuelsson

7. Gordie Howe

8. 2009

9. Kevin Stevens

10. Evgeni Malkin

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