Penguins Locker Room: ‘That Was a Sh*tty Goal’

KANATA, Ontario — Tristan Jarry wasn’t happy about the manner in which the Ottawa Senators got the go-ahead goal Saturday and didn’t hesitate to say so. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan grimaced and shook his head over the controversial tally.

Early in the third period, Ottawa winger Drake Batherson got position on Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk at the back post. Ottawa defenseman Thomas Chabot fired a pass through the crease which Batherson extended his skate to redirect into the net.

Read More: Penguins ‘Skated’ By Senators, Tkachuk Finishes Pens in OT

“It’s a sh*tty goal, honestly,” said Jarry. “I don’t know how you take that out of the game, but I don’t think you should be allowed to stand there and just let the guys shoot off of you. It’s almost impossible to stop. But he gets position on our player, and he just parks himself at the back post, and their guy shoots off of (him). It’s a tough play, and I think it’s just it’s not part of hockey.”

Jarry was very good on Saturday despite allowing another early goal on a busted play. Nearly every Penguins player, including Jarry, lost their position, and Chabot blasted a slapshot through the goalie, who had scrambled back to the net. The goalie stopped 28 of 31 shots in the OT loss:

Kris Letang

A point is a point, and there are no bad points, according to defenseman Kris Letang.

The Penguins defenseman had a rough night with a couple of turnovers and missed assignments. However, when the team picked up their play later in the second period, Letang did as well. He eventually scored the tying goal later in the third period.

Letang played over 26 minutes because defenseman Marcus Pettersson left the game due to injury in the first period.

“I think we’re happy about one point,” said Letang. “I think not getting the overtime goal, it’s always hard, but I think we did a lot of good things offensively in the third and the second period to come back in the game and get a big point.”

Mike Sullivan

The Penguins coach grimaced. The go-ahead goal early in the third period forced the surging Penguins to play catchup rather than leaping ahead.

The Penguins had momentum and control of the game but trailed 2-1 at 6:38 of the second period after Ottawa winger Drake Batherson stuck out his skate on the edge of the crease to redirect Thomas Chabot’s pass into the net.

Jarry’s feelings were clear, and it seemed Sullivan wasn’t entirely happy either. However, he had to acknowledge the reality that since Batherson simply extended his skate like a backboard and didn’t kick at the puck; the goal was likely to withstand any challenge.

Also, Ottawa entered the game converting 27% of their power plays and toyed with the Penguins PK in their two opportunities. Any unsuccessful challenge would have granted Ottawa a third power play.

“I asked the referee. The league checks whether that’s a kicking motion or not,” Sullivan said before a head shake and a pause. “That’s a tough one. I didn’t think it was worth (a challenge).”

Sullivan otherwise credited his team for playing a strong game throughout the 60-plus minutes. He liked several things about his team’s game, including their fight to get to the net, which eventually paid off later in the contest.