Penguins Wrap: Malkin’s Big Admission; Honoring Jagr’s Greatness

The Pittsburgh Penguins are celebrating their past this weekend, honoring Jaromir Jagr for his many achievements during 11 seasons with the franchise.

Good idea, because there’s not much to celebrate about their present.

They snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory in Chicago Thursday, but remain well behind the Eastern Conference playoff field and will be without one of their top forwards for nearly a month because of a significant injury.

Assuming he hasn’t been traded before he’s ready to return to the lineup.

Here’s a look at how the past week unfolded for the Pittsburgh Penguins:

Saturday

The Penguins lose for the second time in 24 hours, absorbing a 2-1 defeat in Winnipeg.

Coach Mike Sullivan wasn’t happy with a lot of what he saw from his team during that loss to the Jets.

Sunday

The Penguins are in danger of having their season slip away after back-to-back losses to Minnesota and Winnipeg. (+)

The time has come for president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas to make some serious changes.

It sounds like the Washington Capitals, the Penguins’ long-time rival, might become a seller before the NHL trade deadline gets much closer.

Monday

Here’s the story behind how Jaromir Jagr ended up with the Penguins in the 1990 NHL draft. (+)

The Penguins have given Erik Karlsson carte blanche to play the style that makes him most effective.

Penguins players insist there is no finger-pointing inside the locker room over their disappointing season.

The Penguins announce that Jansen Harkins suffered a concussion during the loss in Winnipeg.

Fourth-line center Noel Acciari, who is recovering from a concussion, goes through an on-ice workout before the full-team practice.

Tuesday

Evgeni Malkin concedes that, at this point in his career, he knows he’s “not flying like before.”

The Penguins get a bit of good news, as Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang return to practice.

Wednesday

Allowing four goals in the first 13-plus minutes of the second period dooms the Penguins in a 5-2 home loss to Florida.

President of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas has been waiting for the Penguins to show him what kind of team they are. The response to his question seems to have been delivered.

As if losing to the Panthers wasn’t bad enough, the Penguins lost left winger Jake Guentzel to an unspecified upper-body injury during the third period.

Who might the Penguins part with if they try to make a significant move before the NHL trade deadline?

Sidney Crosby says he doesn’t understand why fans at PPG Paints Arena are booing the home team.

Thursday

Sidney Crosby — who else — helps to lead the Penguins out of their slump, scoring twice in a 4-1 victory at Chicago.

The Penguins get some unwelcome news on Jake Guentzel’s injury: He’ll miss at least 3-4 weeks and has been placed on injured-reserve.

Sidney Crosby was outstanding against the Blackhawks. Ryan Graves stood out, too, but for a very different reason.

Are the Pittsburgh Penguins as fragile as they often appear to be?

The Columbus Blue Jackets, who share the Metropolitan Division with the Penguins, make a major front-office change.

Friday

If Kyle Dubas decides to pull off a Jake Guentzel trade, here are some teams that might make good partners for a deal.

Jaromir Jagr’s big weekend kicks off with a panel discussion former teammates Kevin Stevens, Phil Bourque and Jay Caufield.

The Penguins claim small-but-skilled winger Matthew Phillips off waivers from Washington.