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Penguins Problems Festering, Giveaway Win to Islanders (+)

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Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Marcus Pettersson

ELMONT, N.Y. — The Pittsburgh Penguins had a golden chance to put an almost insurmountable number of points between themselves and the New York Islanders. Fighting for a wild card and leading New York by two points with four games in hand, the Penguins tilted the ice and flexed their seldom-seen best version.

And yet the Penguins lost 5-4 to the New York Islanders at UBS Arena.

Even in the best of times, the Penguins’ problems emerge.

“We did some good things, so we’ve got to build off of those,” Sidney Crosby said. “But yeah, we’ve got to find a way to get two points and forget about this one.”

The Penguins played with more structure and poise throughout the first 40 minutes than at any point in the recent wins over San Jose and Anaheim. The shot total and puck possession numbers reflected a solid first 40.

The Penguins led on the shot clock 37-17.

Until late in the second period, they led on the scoreboard 4-2 but still found a way to lose.

But the problems were not isolated to the usual scapegoats, though DeSmith was generous, and the third line was on the ice for a pair of goals.

No, this was different. It wasn’t just one of their issues, it was an accumulation.

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