Penguins Wrap: A Devastating Defeat; Bobblehead Crisis Resolved

The Pittsburgh Penguins still have a pulse as March enters its final weekend.

Not much of one, to be sure, but they haven’t been formally eliminated from contention for a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs just yet.

Earning back-to-back victories for the first time since they won three in a row a month ago helped to keep their flickering postseason prospects alive.

Here’s a look at how their past seven days unfolded:

Saturday

Kyle Dubas made a mistake with a major personnel decision, and it proved to be a costly one for the Penguins.

The Penguins are, as usual, in a race as the season enters its final weeks, but this one is unlike any other they’ve been part of for quite a while.

Sunday

The Penguins take an improbable 4-0 lead against Colorado in Denver … and still lose in overtime, 5-4.

The come-from-ahead loss to the Avalanche was a soul-crusher.

The Penguins’ reaction to how they unraveled in Denver was not surprising. (+)

Monday

Although the Penguins are going to sit out the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second consecutive spring, there still are a few things that should be on their to-do list in the closing weeks of the season.

The Penguins have some serious personnel issues that will have to be addressed.

This is what passes as good news for the Penguins these days: The Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads that disappeared in California a few weeks ago have been recovered.

Tuesday

The Pittsburgh Penguins turn in one of their best overall performances of the season during a 4-1 victory over Carolina.

Young players, including Sam Poulin and Jonathan Gruden, play a leading role in beating the Hurricanes.

Jake Guentzel says it was “not my choice” to leave the Penguins.

Bryan Rust offers an interesting observation about Jake Guentzel’s game.

The Penguins discuss what it was like to have Jake Guentzel for a teammate, and what it will be like to play against him,

Here are the tragic numbers that would lead to the Penguins’ official elimination from the playoff race.

Jeff Carter, who missed the previous three games because of an unspecified injury, participates in the game-day skate.

The Penguins recall Sam Poulin from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and place fourth-line center Noel Acciari on injured-reserve.

Wednesday

Kyle Dubas explains why the Penguins aren’t planning a full-scale rebuild.

Although Michael Bunting is a responsible defensive winger, you wouldn’t know it from his plus-minus rating since the Penguins acquired him from Carolina.

Rookie defenseman Jack St. Ivany has made a positive impression on his teammates and coaches since being promoted from Wilkes-Barre. (+)

Bryan Rust does a lot of good things for the Pittsburgh Penguins on a regular basis, but he made an unusual contribution to their victory over Carolina.

Thursday

Although their performance was considerably shy of overwhelming, the Penguins still managed to defeat Columbus, 3-2.

The Penguins started poorly, but got better as the game went along in their victory over the Blue Jackets.

Evgeni Malkin, who scored twice against Columbus, acknowledges that having his parents in the crowd gave him some extra motivation.

Winger Jansen Harkins, who is recovering from hand surgery, participates in the Penguins’ optional game-day skate.

Friday

When defenseman Ryan Graves left the Columbus game after taking just seven shifts, Kris Letang picked up much of the slack, logging more than 31 minutes of ice time.

So you’re saying there’s a chance … The Penguins aren’t completely out of contention for a playoff berth just yet.

John Ludvig and Jack St. Ivany give the Pittsburgh Penguins’ defense corps some badly needed physicality.

Defenseman Ryan Graves is diagnosed with a concussion.