Penguins Postgame: Crosby Force, Bad Skates, Bad Luck

TORONTO  — It was both bad luck and bad skate blades that doomed the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Coach Mike Sullivan admitted he planned to start Sidney Crosby in overtime, but Crosby was having an issue with his skates. So, Lars Eller started the OT period but couldn’t get off the ice. Toronto pinned the Penguins trio in the defensive zone, and defenseman Jake McCabe scored the winner on a short breakaway.

Penguins’ goalie Alex Nedeljkovic was not pleased with his performance, even as he heaped praise on the team.

Read more: Penguins Room — Sullivan Explains OT Decision; Nedeljkovic Miffed.

The Penguins allowed only 23 shots on goal. Rickard Rakell and Drew O’Connor scored for the Penguins.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski dove into the Penguins’ OT loss at Scotiabank Arena, examining what the Penguins did well and who played well. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and the top six earned high marks. However, the bottom six forwards, except for Lars Eller, didn’t get very good grades.

Then, the Penguins Q&A section.

Readers asked if they could bet against the Penguins in OT (6:34), what Dan feels are the Penguins’ odds to make the playoffs and the most likely scenario (7:00), why the Penguins struggle in overtime (8:45), the debate if Alex Nedeljkovic should have gotten the start (11:00). Lastly how does Dan see the playoff bracket taking shape and does he think the Penguins can win a round?

Check it out. Like and subscribe