Penguins Report Card: Can’t Crack the Stars, the Standouts and the MIA’s (+)

It wasn’t a sloppy game. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars didn’t burn out bulbs on the scoreboard, but sometimes that means each team took care of its own zone. Dallas yielded possession but didn’t let the Penguins get too many second chances.

Dallas played the perfect road game in a 2-1 shootout win over the Penguins.

The Penguins were the NHL’s highest-scoring team through three games, but Dallas clamped down, especially in the low zone. Officials also let the boys play, and neither team had a power play. In fact, each team only took one penalty: coincidental roughing minors in the third period.

The shots were nearly even, as the Penguins had 24 shots in regulation, and Dallas had 23. Each had five in OT, too. Remember, the Dallas Stars were the Western Conference champs in 2020. They did it on defensive systems–pinching on the walls to prevent the Penguins from cranking up the speed game and having numbers back.

Playing on top of the puck. Both teams.

There was plenty of notable performances for the Penguins—most in a good way. A couple of players might have a chat in the video room on Wednesday.