Too bad the NHL doesn’t sponsor a limbo competition. Our Penguins would be more than holding their own. Seeking to set the bar even lower, the black-and-gold lost, 2-1, to the bottom-feeding Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose last night.
A defeat well-earned.
Following a decent first period, our guys hit the snooze button to begin the second. The charitable organization that doubles as the black-and-gold defense went about its philanthropic ways with unerring devotion at 7:41 of the period when Ryan Shea, handling the puck as if it were a live grenade, wired a pass directly to Will Smith. The Sharks rookie in turn fed ex-Pen Mikael Granlund, who wristed the puck past Alex Nedeljkovic from the left circle.
Sidney Crosby, bless his soul, drew us even just 24 seconds into the third period with a goal off the rush, his 15th tally of the season.
Time for another blueliner bungle. From behind our net, Marcus Pettersson bequeathed the biscuit to Tyler Toffoli, who in turn fed first-year sensation Macklin Celebrini in the slot.
Can you say Celly for Celebrini?
Chasing the game once more, we had our chances. Drew O’Connor was awarded a penalty shot mid period, but was foiled by Yaroslav Askarov. With over five minutes to play, Michael Bunting banked the apparent game-tying goal in off Granlund. Alas, Anthony Beauvillier interfered with Askarov and the would-be tally was promptly removed from the board.
In a sequence befitting two of the worst teams in hockey, the closing minutes dissolved into a penalty-strewn scramble, with our Pens holding the short straw.
Puckpourri
The lone bright spot? Nedeljkovic, who stopped 26 of 28 shots to earn third-star honors. Since Tristan Jarry’s demotion, Ned’s posted a .930 save percentage over his past four starts.
Blake Lizotte continued to sit out due to illness. The Pens are 16-11-6 with Lizzo in the lineup and 4-13-2 without him. Pee-yew.
In the bad-news-department, Evgeni Malkin was placed on IR. Jesse Puljujärvi was recalled from the Baby Pens to take his place. The big Finn tallied a goal and three points in three games with Wilkes following his recent demotion.
In his second game with the Pens, rugged Boko Imama skated a team-low 5:27. Who didn’t see that coming?
Meanwhile, Matt Nieto logged a comparatively robust 10:28 of ice time. He has points in three of 28 games this season. This isn’t so much a jab at the player as the fellows constructing the team and filling out the lineup card. We need a 32-year-old fourth liner like we need the proverbial hole in the head.
Ditto Noel Acciari.
The Sharks snapped a six-game losing streak.
Since our surprising victory over the Oilers on January 9, the Pens are 2-7. We’re 3-8-3 dating back to New Year’s Eve. Captain Wrongway Peachfuzz of Rocky & Bullwinkle fame couldn’t steer a more wayward course.
With hopes of landing a playoff spot pretty much pfft, the goal now should be to finish as low in the standings as possible to secure the best pick possible in the Entry Draft. Someone needs to tell Mike Sullivan. (On second thought don’t tell him, he’s doing just fine.)
Sarcasm aside, a once-proud champion has reached the absolute end of the line.
Let the sell-off begin.
The Penguins claimed defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok off waivers yesterday from Utah. A left-shot, the 23-year-old…
In the wake of the Penguins’ hardscrabble victory over the Rangers on Friday night, I…
The Penguins have placed forward Jesse Puljujärvi on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating…
Way back in 1969-70, a Penguins team that was short on talent but long on…
Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby will miss tonight’s Metro matchup with the Rangers at Madison Square Garden…
With a lull between games, I thought I’d cobble together a Penguins This ‘n’ ‘At.…