Look Out Below, Plummeting Penguins Fall to Bruins, 5-1

Heading into the 2005-06 season, the Penguins had high hopes. Following three dismal seasons, they won the right to draft phenom Sidney Crosby. In response to our exceeding good fortune, ownership allowed then-GM Craig Patrick to dip into the coffers and sign established stars Mark Recchi, John LeClair and Sergei Gonchar.

Also on hand…an aging but still potent Mario Lemieux, who figured to be rejuvenated by Crosby’s presence. Some experts predicted we’d win the Atlantic Division and perhaps even challenge for a Stanley Cup.

Then we proceeded to lose nine-straight games out of the chute. I remember thinking how surreal it was. I mean, how could a team with all those stars be so bad? But it was.

Coach Eddie Olczyk was fired. Mario retired. The team tumbled to a last-place finish in the Atlantic.

Why do I bring up those dark days from the past? It’s the last time a black-and-gold team played consistent, losing hockey. Eerily reminiscent of what’s transpiring now.

In the wake of yesterday’s 5-1 loss to the Bruins, the Pens not only are a team in trouble, they’re a team in crisis. With the possibility of qualifying for the postseason becoming more remote with each lopsided loss, this group is struggling mightily to find its motivation and purpose.

I was listening to Brian Metzer and Paul Steigerwald discuss the team’s plight on the postgame radio show. Metzer thinks we’ve lost our identity.

I agree.

Metzer pointed out that we’re supposed to be an offensive team and keep trying to play like one, but we simply can’t finish. Unfortunately, we don’t know any other way to play. At least not effectively.

It brought to mind our 5-3 victory over the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. After floundering for the better part of two periods, we struck for a pair of goals 87 seconds apart and…BOOM…our guys sprang to life. They began to skate with energy, flow and flair. Just like the glory days, we fed off those goals.

Unfortunately, we’re not scoring these days. Not nearly enough to feed the wolf, to borrow from the late, great Herb Brooks. Yesterday was a prime example. We had several opportunities to score early and take the lead, including a breakaway by newcomer Michael Bunting.

Then the Bruins went to work. David Pastrnák scored. Pavel Zacha and Brad Marchand followed suit. Bam, bam, bam. Before you know it we’re down 3-0 and, for all intents and purposes, out.

Wish I could say this is a temporary blip on the radar screen, but it’s not. Just like that ’05-06 team, losing has become the norm. We’re 1-5 in our last six games. A lot of them haven’t been close.

Sadly, especially for our venerated core of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, I expect things to get worse instead of better. Glancing at our final 20 games and who we play, I can only identify three games that I think we’ll win, all against bottom feeders. Even then, given the way this team plays down to the competition, there’s no guarantee.

The silver lining? We may actually have a legit shot at a top player in the upcoming draft. PP colleague Caleb DiNatale covets Boston University scoring sensation Macklin Celebrini. Metzer mentioned the kid, too.

Right now, only seven teams are below us in the standings.

As for those unfortunate souls still hoping for a miracle turnaround and run to the playoffs?

Sorry, folks, it ain’t happening. This is a weary, defeated, demoralized team.

Puckpourri

Stats-wise, the Pens piled up a 70-49 edge in shot attempts and a 39-23 advantage in shots on goal, according to Natural Stat Trick. Yet scoring chances were virtually even (31-30), and the Bruins had more high-danger chances (14-11).

Indeed, many of our shots came from the perimeter, enabling B’s goalie Linus Ullmark to make a lot of what radio play-by-play man Steve Mears dubbed “rocking chair” saves.

Letang scored our lone goal early in the third period, beating Ullmark high glove side with a sizzler from the left side boards through traffic. Sid set the play in motion (and picked up an assist) with a faceoff win.

Bunting registered three shots on goal and three hits in his black-and-gold debut.

All four lines outshot the Bruins 5v5, but we just can’t finish. Only Geno’s line (with Reilly Smith and Valtteri Puustinen) had a positive xGF%.

John Ludvig replaced the departed Chad Ruhwedel and led the way with six hits. He also had by far the worst metrics on the team. While I love the kid’s sand and combativeness, he has a long (long) way to go.

Jonathan Gruden has replaced Jansen Harkins (hand surgery) and done a creditable job. The rookie had four shots on goal in 13:22 of ice time. By necessity or otherwise, he seems to be gaining Mike Sullivan’s trust.

Alex Nedeljkovic got the starting nod in goal. With the team crumbling in front of them, I feel for our goalies. They did such a good job of keeping us in the fight for as long as they did.

On Deck

The Pens (28-26-8, 64 points) host the Oilers (38-21-3, 79 points) in another matinee matchup. This one starting at 1:00 pm…and after losing an hour to the time change to boot.

Thanks pant loads, NHL schedule makers.

We’re 10 points behind the third-place Flyers and eight behind the Red Wings in the wild-card chase.