Benn There, Done That: Penguins Lose Again

The Penguins continued their stretch run plummet with a 4-2 loss to the Stars last night in Dallas.

About the only thing missing aside from timely scoring, airtight defense and clutch goaltending on our part were about 10 gratuitous shots of Jerry Jones cheering for his team. (Oops…wrong sport.)

The game was pretty much standard fare for our Pens these days. We did some things right. We did more things wrong.

On the plus side of the ledger? We grabbed an early lead on a dirty goal by Michael Bunting, the result of some determined cycling and a superb backhand pass from Evgeni Malkin behind the net.

Unfortunately, then came the bad.

The Stars knotted the score at 7:16 of the first period on what can be bested described as a goofy-golf goal by ageless Joe Pavelski. His chop shot clunked off Marcus Pettersson’s glove and elevated just enough to walk Tristan Jarry’s shoulder and tumble over the line.

The deciding blows came early in the second frame. Rickard Rakell was whistled for hooking at 5:30. The Stars proceeded to crush our penalty killing box like an empty beer can, culminating in a Jamie Benn snipe from the left circle.

Cue the cluster goal 77 ticks later. Playing kid defenseman John Ludvig like a fiddle on a late-breaking 2-on-1, Benn skirted the sprawling defender and shanked the puck in off the rookie’s stick and through Jarry’s wickets.

The Stars upped their lead to 4-1 early in the final period. Grinder Sam Steel waltzed around a bewildered Erik Karlsson and smoked Jarry from the slot. A development that caused coach Mike Sullivan to yank his harried starter in favor of Alex Nedeljkovic.

Grasping for any positive in the storm, our Pens did close the gap to 4-2 at the 11-minute mark thanks to a hard forecheck by the Malkin line. In a play reminiscent of our opening tally, Geno swooped behind the net and made a gorgeous, handsy pass to Rakell in the slot. RikRak chipped the puck past Jake Oettinger for his 11^th goal of the campaign.

Vintage Geno.

On this night, that was about all we had to celebrate.

Puckpourri

It was a low-event game according to Natural Stat Trick. The Pens held a slight edge in shot attempts (53-51), scoring chances (27-25) and high-danger chances (9-7). The Stars prevailed in shots on goal (23-22).

Malkin’s line was terrific, posting a 69.57 Corsi, an xGF% of 73.67 and a 10-3 edge in 5v5 shots on goal. Nice to see Geno get rewarded with those two assists. Goodness, did he display some hands and vision on those passes! Here’s hoping he reaches the 60-point mark before all is said and done (he’s currently got 53).

With three goals and six points in eight games, Bunting continues to be a bright light. Wish we had about 10 more guys with his drive and tenacity.

As for trade-mate Jake Guentzel? He’s tallied a pair of goals and 11 points (!) in seven games with the ‘Canes. Jake’s a plus-11 in his new digs to boot!

After initially showing well, the Lars Eller–Reilly Smith–Valtteri Puustinen (ESP) line tanked last night (26.67 Corsi, 10.98 xGF%).

With Jeff Carter nursing an upper-body injury, Jesse Puljujärvi drew back into the lineup for the first time in a fortnight. Ryan Graves missed the contest due to the birth of a child. Jack St. Ivany made his NHL debut and registered a shot, a blocked shot and a hit in 12:28 of ice time.

Partnered with Kris Letang last night, Pierre-Olivier Joseph has quietly played better of late (three assists, a plus-2 in his last six games). Is it enough to salvage the pending RFA’s career in the ‘Burgh?

On the flip side, Karlsson seems to be fading. His defensive play last night was, to be charitable, lacking. (Make that awful.) Following an extended productive stretch, he’s managed just three assists (and a minus-6) in our last 13 games. EK65 hasn’t scored a goal since the proverbial eighth-grade picnic (or February 27 to be exact).

Likewise, the wheels seem to be coming off Jarry’s wagon. He’s been pulled twice in his last three starts, three times in his last seven. Yet Sullivan continues to ride him.

What’s the definition of insanity?

Although it’s a time-honored sports tradition, sticking with a guy just because you’re paying him the most rankles me to no end. Jarry and Nedeljkovic were at their best when Sully used them in a 1-1A configuration earlier this season.

Time to alternate them and/or play the hot hand, if there is such a thing. Nor would it hurt to find out if Ned can handle a starter’s role. Might provide some flexibility vis-à-vis making a deal this summer.

Gotta feel for a heart-and-soul guy like Bryan Rust, who gives his all every game win, lose or draw.

On Deck

The Pens (30-30-9, 69 points) visit the Avs (45-20-5, 95 points) tomorrow afternoon.

Since January 1, we’re 12-17-5. Since February 27, 3-9-1.

As for my somewhat tongue-in-check prediction that we’d go 3-17 in our last 20 games? We’re 2-4-1, with 13 more to play.

The playoff picture?

Fugedaboudit.