Penguins Sputter to 4th Straight Loss; Letang Struggles in 3-1 Loss to Kraken

SEATTLE — The Seattle Kraken scored four goals in the second period. Through the magic of replay and the Pittsburgh Penguins’ deft spots, only two of the goals counted.

The Penguins briefly controlled the second period and claimed a 1-0 lead when Jake Guentzel (2) stole a pass at the defensive blue line and raced the length of the ice to finish a two-on-one.

However, one minute later, Seattle tied the game (again) and scored another legit goal late in the second period. Seattle beat the Penguins 3-1 at Climate Pledge Arena Saturday.

The Penguins’ puck management was again an issue worth noting or outright harping on. The Penguins had 10 giveaways and one takeaway. Combined with Seattle’s credited eight takeaways, that was 18 possessions the Penguins turned over.

The Seattle game winner was courtesy of another Penguins turnover.

Late in the second period, Kasperi Kapanen charged the offensive zone, but a blind backhand pass went to the other team. Seattle transitioned two-on-one. Penguins goalie Casey DeSmith stopped former Penguins prospect Daniel Sprong’s shot, but Morgan Geekie (2) chipped the rebound across the goal line.

After more than 30 scoreless minutes, the teams combined for three legal goals in less than eight minutes.

Seattle also scored two in the second period, which were overturned. Early in the second period, Jordan Eberle raced past Jan Rutta, then Marcus Pettersson before deking DeSmith out of the net. Ryan Donato slammed the dribbling puck into the net, but the review quickly showed the play offside.

Jordan Eberle (1) scored soon after as Jan Rutta and Evgeni Malkin vacated the Penguins’ net front in a defensive zone gaffe.

Later in the second period, Seattle again appeared to score. Andre Burakovsky freed himself in the slot for a rebound goal, but reviews showed the play should have been stopped for high-sticking.

The Penguins failed to mount a furious challenge in the third period, but instead sputtered down the stretch. Kris Letang committed a couple of turnovers and a bad interference penalty.

A few Penguins led the team with three shots after the first 50 minutes. The Penguins mustered only 23 shots into the latter stages of the third period.

Sidney Crosby only had one shot on goal.

Guentzel was the Penguins’ best forward. He and Rakell led the team with three shots with seven minutes remaining.

Penguins center Jeff Carter was injured in the second period and left the game. He played only 4:18.

Guentzel and Jason Zucker were game-time decisions. Both played. The game was the Penguins’ fourth straight loss, as they were winless on their western road trip, after beginning the five-game trip with a win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Jaden Schwartz scored the empty netter.

The Penguins were outscored 18-6 on the western portion of the road trip.