Penguins Grades: Jarry Pulled, Carter Benched, Awful Mistakes in Loss to Canadiens (+)

The Pittsburgh Penguins deserved a win, at least on paper. After two periods, they outshot the Montreal Canadiens 33-11 and overall 42-21. They overwhelmed them with scoring chances and a 65% puck possession rate. Yet ghastly breakdowns and mistakes by some usual suspects put Montreal goals on the board in a 6-4 Montreal win at PPG Paints Arena.

Penguins goalie Casey DeSmith perhaps said it best.

“Some of the chances we gave them were too good,” said the Penguins’ backup goalie.

DeSmith was again called to relieve starter Tristan Jarry, who was pulled after allowing four goals on seven shots in the first period. DeSmith started the second period.

Coach Mike Sullivan seemed slightly disappointed in Jarry’s performance but offered the goalie plenty of cover. He didn’t offer his team the same excuses. Nor did defenseman Kris Letang, who bluntly took his team to task.

“He’s fine from a health standpoint. We’re just trying to get him up to speed on the fly, and it’s a bit of a challenge,” Sullivan said. “We’re working at it, trying to get him reps in practice, and we’re doing our best there.”

The chalkboard is overwhelmingly positive, but the report card is unfriendly, and a few players, including Jeff Carter, were benched.