Penguins Report Card vs. TB: No Goal, No Finish, the Good & Bad of Pens Loss (+)

Some nights you’re the windshield, and some nights you’re the bug. Despite digging in against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Pittsburgh Penguins lack of talent in the lineup caught up with them, at least for one night. Good chances became “awws” instead of cheers, extra efforts became counter-attacks-against, and sustained zone time became a couple of goals-against in the Penguins 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena.

The Penguins deflating moment came later in the first period.

The first period was intense and chippy. Sam Lafferty spent seven minutes in the box but drew a Penguins power play.

Brock McGinn got a good rip on Andrei Vasilevskiy. The shot hit the goalie in the chest and rolled over his shoulder into an empty crease. However, referees assumed Vasileskiy had the puck. No goal. Officials admitted their mistake to Mike Sullivan, who appreciated their honesty, and the Penguins had plenty of time.

You can regret the call. You can’t say it cost the Penguins the game. A few other things did that.