Surprise, Surprise (Surprise), Penguins Lose to ‘Canes

Contrary to Gomer Pyle’s favorite saying, it came as no great surprise that the Penguins fell to the Carolina Hurricanes last night in Raleigh by a 2-1 count. After all, we finished the season 0-2-2 against our nettlesome Metro rival, in the process garnering only two out of a possible eight points.

Nor is it a great surprise how it happened. As they are wont to do under coach Rod Brind’Amour, the aptly named Hurricanes rolled over us like a cyclonic storm surge, shooting pucks from everywhere while piling up significant advantages in shot attempts (33-19), shots on goal (15-11) and, most significantly, scoring chances (a whopping 21-5) during the opening 20 minutes.

What did come as a bit of a surprise? We managed to limit them to a lone goal on a wide-open look by Brady Skjei from the left circle at 17:02.

The second period? Lather, rinse, repeat. While the Pens misfired on three power-play opportunities, including a two-man advantage near the end of the frame courtesy of old friend Jordan Staal, the ‘Canes controlled the action and tacked on a second goal by Vancouver refugee Jalen Chatfield mid-period.

Surprise number three? Despite playing their second game in two nights, our undermanned Pens found their legs and dominated the third period, especially after Rickard Rakell potted a gift power-play goal at 7:48 off a brain cramp clearing swipe by goalie Frederik Andersen.

Try as they might, our guys just couldn’t push the equalizer past the big Swedish netminder.

Thank the dear Lord we’re done with the ‘Canes.

Puckpourri

Courtesy of the Pens’ third-period push, shot attempts (65-65) and shots on goal (36-35 in favor of the ‘Canes) were just about even. Our hosts still held a sizeable edge in scoring chances (40-30), high-danger chances (19-13) and faceoffs (56 percent).

The score could’ve been much worse were it not for a redemptive performance from Casey DeSmith, who turned aside 34 of 36 shots.

Speaking of redemptive efforts, following an awful game the night before the Evgeni Malkin line bounced back with a vengeance (Corsi of 60). Jason Zucker nearly staked us to an early lead four minutes in, but his sizzling wrister struck iron. In the opening seconds of the third period, Geno turned Brent Burns into a lamp post but couldn’t beat Andersen.

With Marcus Pettersson still out with an illness, the Pens were down arguably their top three d-men, a development that’s hampered our transition game. Which leads me to…

Missing Pieces

Injuries have hit our Pens with almost surgical efficiency, in the process removing some key components from our lineup.

Record-wise, Tristan Jarry’s absence has been the most damaging, perhaps followed in importance by Jeff Petry’s. Here are the Pens won-lost records among the players currently MIA.

The injuries to fourth-liners Josh Archibald and Ryan Poehling have also been telling, stripping away a much-needed underpinning of speed and grit.

Notice I haven’t mentioned Sidney Crosby in my last two game summaries?

Shake the Jake?

On the surface, forward Jake Guentzel is enjoying a strong season. In 38 games, he’s got 17 goals and 37 points, nearly a point-per-game clip. Combined with his boyish looks and skilled, clever play, he’s exceedingly popular in the ‘Burgh. “Jakes Shakes” and all that.

However, upon closer examination, he isn’t having all that great of a season. Over his past nine games, he’s got two goals and two assists, all collected in a two-game cluster. Since December 1, he’s tallied five goals in 18 games. Rather pedestrian output for a top-line winger.

Five of his goals have come on the power play, five more are empty-netters. He ranks seventh on the team in 5v5 goals with six, which puts him outside the top-six group.

Meanwhile, the Pens’ mix is as stale as month-old bread and just as bland.

I propose using Jake as the center piece of a trade. In my dreams I’d love to pry Islanders captain Anders Lee off Long Island.

A horse at 6’3” and 235 pounds, Lee would add a much-needed power element and net-front presence. While not quite in Guentzel’s class as a scorer, with 15 goals and 30 points in 44 games he’s no slouch, either.

Are there downsides to such a swap?

Sure.

For starters, Lee has a cap hit of $7 million, $1 million over Guentzel’s rate, and he’s signed for three more seasons after this one. At 32 years of age, he’s four years Jakes’ senior and would further age our team. And deals between division rivals are rare, especially ones competing for the same playoff spot.

But the Isles have long sought a volatile talent to team with Matt Barzal, and the Pens could desperately use a player with Lee’s physical stature and attributes, not to mention leadership qualities.

Kind of a latter-day Mark Recchi-for-Rick Tocchet swap.

I’m not saying it wouldn’t be a gamble. But given the Pens uninspired play of late (2-6-2 in our last 10 games), some kind of shakeup is in order. If not sooner than perhaps at the trade deadline.

On Tap

Speaking of the Isles (23-18-3, 49 points), they leapfrogged over us (21-15-6, 48 points) and into the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Don’t look now, but John Tortorella’s improving Flyers (18-18-7, 43 points) are on a 7-1 roll, including a pair of victories over the previously white-hot Capitals.

Up next, lowly Anaheim at PPG Paints Arena on Monday night. Hopefully our Pens can dine on a little Duck soup (pun intended).