Embarrassment Made Penguins ‘Soul Search,’ and Change (+)

CRANBERRY — The Pittsburgh Penguins renewed defensive commitment, or perhaps more accurately, their new commitment to defense was no accident.

Nor was it entirely by eager choice.

The Penguins were humiliated on Dec. 16 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, 7-0 on Hockey Night in Canada. There were no redeeming features or positives on which to build. There was no saving grace nor ability to forget it. The loss dropped the Penguins well out of the playoff race and exposed every bad habit and flaw in front of a national TV audience.

Remember that anxious dream of showing up to class in your underwear? The Penguins lived it.