Penguins Scalped by Blackhawks, 3-1

With so many players auditioning for spots next season, effort and compete level have for the most part not been an issue for our Penguins since the trade deadline passed a month ago. Indeed, with the notable exception of back-to-back blowout losses to the Lightning and Sabres, the Pens have emptied their energy stores on a nightly basis.

As for yesterday’s 3-1 loss to the Blackhawks at the United Center?

Maybe not so much.

The Pens did manage to keep pace with their hosts for the first 40 minutes, even holding a slight statistical advantage, before the wheels literally fell off during the third period. Understandable in a way, given that we’d played an emotionally charged game in Dallas the day before while the Hawks were well-rested.

But enough framing.

The Hawks broke a scoreless tie 65 seconds before the second intermission on a shorthanded goal by Frank Nazar. At his lackadaisical (or out of gas) worst, Erik Karlsson failed to slow the Hawks’ forward along the wall and didn’t exactly break the sweat equity bank getting back into the play, leading to a 2-on-1 against.

Our hosts upped their lead to 2-zip midway through the final period. Ilya Mikheyev took a perfect lead pass from Connor Bedard in full stride and blew past Conor Timmins as if the black-and-gold defender were bolted to the ice.

Alex Nedeljkovic had little chance.

The Pens finally broke through with just over five minutes remaining on a power-play goal by Rickard Rakell. What impressed me the most was the work of rookie Ville Koivunen. Serving as the facilitator from the right circle, Koivunen exchanged crisp, tape-to-tape passes with Karlsson and Bryan Rust, which led to the goal.

This kid’s got some serious offensive chops.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to save our bacon. Our lack of collective zip was evident in the final minute as we struggled to control the puck 6-on-5 before ceding our zone to Mikheyev for a walk-in empty-netter.

Seems somehow fitting that the loss eliminated us from playoff contention.

Puckpourri

Blake Lizotte “scored” early in the second period, albeit with a flagrant high-stick. An easy one to overturn.

Rakell tied his career-high with his 34^th goal. He’s two points shy of his personal best in that category. Rust established a new career-high with his 59^th point.

Sidney Crosby (minus-3) endured a rare rough outing. His points streak, which tied a record for 37-year-olds, was snapped at a dozen games.

Nedeljkovic got his first start since a 44-save effort against the CBJ back on March 21. Ned performed admirably, stopping 28 of 30 shots for a .933 save percentage. Don’t get why coach Mike Sullivan doesn’t go with more of a rotation system in goal, especially since Ned for the most part has better numbers than Tristan Jarry, but what do I know?

Philip Tomasino sat out with an upper-body injury. Joona Koppanen replaced him.

Speaking of hulking Finns, old friend Jesse Puljujärvi has resurfaced with the Panthers. He’s basically their version of Koppanen.

We’re currently tied with the Ducks and Sabres for the sixth-fewest points in the league (74). We need to win out to reach hockey .500.

OVI DID IT!

Alex Ovechkin scored his 895^th career goal yesterday on a laser from distance to eclipse Wayne Gretzky’s old mark. Not to state the obvious, but my goodness can this man shoot the puck!

Put another way, if the future of the human race depended on someone scoring a goal, I’ve want Ovi pulling the trigger.

It brings to mind one of the most impressive goals I’ve ever witnessed. It came against our Pens a number of years back. The Great Eight was stationed along the left half-wall in our zone, cradling the puck on his stick blade when Brooks Orpik stepped in and blasted him back-first into the boards.

Just as he was hit, Ovi snapped off an absolute blur of a wrister that beat our goalie (don’t remember who) with ease.

How he got that much mustard on a shot while being knocked backward into the boards, I’ll never know.

What an incredible talent.