Penguins Analysis: Digesting a Win & Consequence for Implosion | PHN+

The Pittsburgh Penguins notched a historic win on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena. Never before has a team in the NHL been outscored by five goals in the third period and won. In NHL history, 270 teams have allowed five or more goals in the third period, and all lost the game.

The stat came from ESPN. 

That is until Tuesday. The Penguins needed every inch of a six-goal lead to beat the New Jersey Devils 7-6. Sidney Crosby’s “chili goal” quickly moved from a joke about 1980s promotions and became the game-winning goal.

It should never have happened. Even Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan was bewildered by it.

“…but I just told the players that it’s just something that I’m going to try to digest and see what we can take from it….but I don’t know how to react.”

After a few hours of sleep, PHN knows how a night’s sleep colored our perception of it. Spoiler: A few people will need a good talking to.

If the Penguins coaches study the first 40 minutes of tape, there will be applause and backslapping. If they watch the last 20 minutes, those pats on the back must become kicks delivered a little lower.

Here’s what happened.