Three Takeaways From Penguins Embarrassing Loss To Stars

The Pittsburgh Penguins proceed to wrestle to keep away from the basement of the Metropolitan Division. Final night time, they fell to the Dallas Stars 7-1 on Monday night time, surrendering six first-period objectives.

Though the Penguins have been near tying a franchise file for objectives towards in a single interval final night time, it wasn’t meant to be. With seven extra objectives towards, Pittsburgh retakes the NHL lead within the class with 68 whereas watching their objective differential slip to minus-21.

Related: 5 Possible Replacements For Penguins’ Mike Sullivan

Because the Penguins stay two factors forward of the Columbus Blue Jackets, their upcoming opponents on Friday, let’s talk about just a few noticeable takeaways from Monday night time.

This Loss Is not Solely on the Goalies

Joel Blomqvist earned the beginning on Monday after an excellent efficiency towards the Washington Capitals on Friday. Regardless of the confidence-building night time towards a high group within the Metropolitan Division, the younger rookie was not prepared for a legit Stanley Cup contender from the Central Division.

Sadly, Blomqvist lasted solely ten minutes earlier than Alex Nedeljkovic got here in for aid, surrendering three objectives on his first 4 photographs. Finally, he settled in and made 28 saves to maintain the competition from reaching double digits.

Finally, the goalie is answerable for stopping the puck, however on Monday, the whole group in entrance of them allow them to down, with so many odd-man rushes coming their approach. Too many Stars gamers had nice scoring alternatives because of miscues and missed assignments. So folks can blame the goalies all they need, however this ugly loss wasn’t totally on them.

Prime Defensive Pairing Has Evening to Overlook

Veteran Kris Letang and free agent signee Matt Grzelcyk at the moment occupy the highest two defensive spots within the lineup. On Monday, they have been a mixed minus-7, with Letang main all skaters with a minus-4, his worst efficiency of the 12 months.

Somebody must return to Dec. 16, 2023, and Mar. 7, 2024, to see the final time Letang was a minus-4, whereas Grzelcyk hasn’t been a minus-3 since Dec. 23, 2018.

One thing is not clicking between the 2, whether or not communication or enjoying type. This pairing has to convey up their video games as a result of defensive lapses have been a theme all season, and there is not any transferring up within the standings if these miscues proceed.

Followers have been sad with the whole group’s efficiency on Monday, however a handful of gamers had tough nights, a pattern that’s turning into all too acquainted.

The place was the Power?

It may very well be argued that the Penguins performed their greatest sport of 2024-25 on Friday towards the Capitals, weathering a 2-0 comeback whereas driving a sizzling goalie to a 4-2 win.

Nonetheless, at PPG Paints Area on Monday, nobody would have believed this was the identical group that shut down Alex Ovechkin simply three nights prior. The Penguins got here out flat and seemed so disinterested within the sport that it was 4-0 in favor of the Stars earlier than anybody realized it, and the house group had 5 photographs on objective.

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It was so irritating that Sidney Crosby took two uncharacteristic penalties and, in a single night time, doubled his season complete. In fact, one thing occurred within the dressing room as a result of Pittsburgh got here out to play higher within the second and third durations, however they have been out-hustled at each flip and have been doubled up on the shot clock 40-21.

Regardless that the statistics point out the Penguins have been the extra bodily group, nobody would have acknowledged it by watching the sport. Sadly, the identical group that performed their hearts out on Friday was not the identical passionate group that confirmed up on Veterans Day.

Penguins & Stars Trivia Solutions

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

1. Lowell MacDonald

2. Rick Kehoe

3. Les Binkley

4. Thomas Greiss

5. Trevor Daley

6. Brenden Morrow

7. Kevin Stevens

8. Andy Bathgate

9. Kevin Hatcher

10. Shawn Chambers