PHN Daily: Penguins at Their Worst, Capitals Climbing
The NHL started back up Tuesday evening after its three-day holiday break, although someone apparently forgot to let the Pittsburgh Penguins know. Washington certainly was aware of it, and has a new place in the Metropolitan Division standings today to show for it. Boston suffered a rare defeat, but only after taking the Senators to a shootout in Ottawa. Philadelphia got some good news, which has been even more rare there than Flyers victories in 2022-23. And Detroit, which will visit PPG Paints Arena this evening, routinely struggles in its first game after Christmas.
With the NHL’s roster freeze over, GMs again will be free to look for ways to upgrade their rosters, so don’t be surprised if there’s a surge in trade speculation in coming days.
And with above-freezing temperatures predicted to arrive in Western Pennsylvania today, trade talks won’t be the only thing that’s heating up. Finally.
Pittsburgh Penguins/Steelers, Pirates
The Pittsburgh Penguins played what Mike Sullivan said “might have been our worst game of the year” in a 5-1 loss on Long Island. It’s possible that was a charitable assessment.
Sidney Crosby said the Penguins “never really found our game” during the last two periods of that loss to the Islanders. They didn’t have much of one for most of the first 20 minutes, either.
Even if you graded this one on a curve, precious few guys would have been worthy of a passing grade. Penguins Report Card.
After the Penguins’ game-day skate, Sullivan suggested he will consider shaking up his bottom-six forwards to try to increase the production of his third line.
Steelers Now
Mike Tomlin “saw sure eyes” from members of his offense before the Steelers’ game-winning drive Saturday night against Vegas.
Hundreds of fans paid their final respects to Franco Harris during an emotional public viewing at Acrisure Stadium.
The Steelers made a couple of personnel moves ahead of their showdown with the Ravens in Baltimore Sunday night.
Tomlin is glad that the Ravens game was flexed into prime time, if only because that means its outcome still matters.
Less than a week after Harris died, the Steelers lost a member of the Rooney family.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now
Adding another corner outfielder would be a good move by the Pirates. John Perrotto looks at some of the best candidates still on the market.
The Pirates and 42-year-old reliever Rich Hill agree to a one-year, $8 million contract.
National Hockey Now
New York Islanders: Not surprisingly, Islanders center Mathew Barzal’s reaction to his team’s performance against the Penguins was the complete opposite of Mike Sullivan’s.
Colorado: The Avalanche got a 6-3 haircut from Arizona at Mullett Arena in their first game back from the break.
Washington: Unlike the Penguins, the Capitals were able to maintain their momentum through the holiday break and defeat the New York Rangers, 4-0, at Madison Square Garden. That allowed Washington to hurdle the Penguins and Rangers and move into third place in the Metropolitan Division.
Calgary: The Flames self-immolated in a 2-1 loss to Edmonton with an undisciplined penalty in the third period.
Detroit: You know how the Penguins struggled against the Islanders Tuesday? Well, their opponent this evening at PPG Paints Arena has a history of doing just that in its first game back from the break.
Philly: Good news has been hard to come by on the far side of the Commonwealth this season, but the Flyers got a little Tuesday, with an encouraging update on the health of No. 1 goalie Carter Hart.
San Jose: The Sharks were able to maintain their pre-break momentum, but in their case, that’s not a good thing.
Montreal: How this for looking ahead? Evaluating the odds of the Canadiens ending up with the No. 1 choice in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Boston: It took overtime and an outstanding performance by Ottawa goalie Cam Talbot, but the Bruins suffered a rare defeat, 3-2, at Canadian Tire Center.
Florida: A disappointing season in south Florida took a tick upward Tuesday, as two key injured players were able to participate in practice.
Vegas: The Golden Knights suffered a double setback in Los Angeles, dropping a 4-2 decision to the Kings and losing defenseman Alec Martinez to an injury after he blocked a shot.
Categorized:Penguins
Maybe it was just the eggnog
This game made the Pens performance in October look like they were playing at a Stanley Cup level in October!
Ill be the first to say it but Sully never seems to have his team prepared anymore. To constantly give up the first 10 minutes while trying to keep it simple or find your legs is ridiculous. Other teams have figured out the best time to catch them off guard is the first ten minutes.
To keep asking Jarry to save the day until the rest of team gets their $hit together isn’t fair.
Maybe it’s time to stop talking Pens need to get bigger but maybe say Pens need a coaching change.
Well I may not be the first but I have been saying it. I don’t know if we need a new coach but something has to change in game prep. 6 (or is it 7) goals allowed in first 90 seconds means the boys aren’t prepared tp play. Maybe time for a players only meeting? Maybe start the 4th line if the first 2 lines aren’t ready to play. Something must change!
It has nothing to do with the coaches. Players must be ready when the puck drops. There is accountability with players as well. Especially a veteran team with future hall of famers. If the players have no urgency when the puck drops than a coaching change wont fix that. I’m sure Sully is impressing upon them the importance of starting fast. Hes a great head coach I’m positive he has them well prepared. Especially with this team being together for years.
Actually it has everything to do with coaching if your team isn’t prepared even if theirs veterans on the team. You say “your sure Sully is impressing upon them the importance of starting fast” well the team isn’t listening apparently. So now your going blame the veterans for the coaches lack of how to get through to the team????
Well clearly hes getting through to the team or they would not be 3 points out of 2nd place. And yes the players know what required when the puck drops so YES they must be held accountable. Sully has been with the pens almost 8 years. So he and most of the players know each other well. Clearly he has them prepared the results are the evidence. And this is his lifes work he seems very detail oriented and strategically meticulous. There could be a number of reasons for the poor start to games one is they understand it’s a… Read more »
Not playing the first few shifts is unacceptable. If you cant see that as evidence that they are not prepared then I cant help you. Yes, I agree with you, it ultimately comes down to the players. Sully doesn’t have a stick. But he could make a statement by starting the 4th line. Wake them up. Also, I Love Sid but I wish he would get vocal with the guys when they are playing like s—-. It is unacceptable and it needs to change or they wont make the playoffs.
I agree they cannot continue to open the start of the game like that. But a lackluster start and being prepared for such are two different things. I refuse to believe they are not prepared for the drop of the puck or have a great game plan. Clearly guys like 87 71 59 are ready and properly prepared. But maybe they dont have the sense of urgency they need at the start of the game is a better description. But firing sully absolutely not! If you read my comment. I 100% agree with what your saying something must change. But… Read more »
Hopefully your right but flopping in the first rounds of the playoffs and now the Pens are not ready for the start of games over and over is a bad pattern.
Well I wouldn’t call the playoff loss a flop actually far from it. With all those injuries they played great despite being shorthanded and that goes back to elite coaching. And as for my point I think tonight’s start just validated my point!
Not really, Sully got them to play one period, good for him. Unfortunately there’s two more periods….Sully good job sending to many men on the ice and Pens blow another lead….All on Sully not being able to get his team to play a full 60
And why was Carter out there in OT. Good job Sully
The 1st and 2nd line cant be on the ice for the whole game. Maybe it was his shift. Maybe he had a good game. Carter is the 3rd line center so why wouldn’t he be on the ice? Easy to 2nd guess after. And wasn’t Carter’s fault.
Now your just blaming sully for everything and it reads as ridiculous. You wanted a better start to the game and got it. You really think it’s all his fault. That’s a ignorant statement. At what point do the players take accountability for what happens on the ice? As a former minor league ball player I can tell you. The manager can put us in a position to be successful it’s our job to execute. Now as i am a coach same situation the players need to execute. Especially at the professional level. That was awful tonight but keeping it… Read more »
“The manager can put us in a position to be successful”……like putting to many men on the ice with 3 minutes left….who am I supposed to blame??? If Sully was in Boston he would’ve been fired 2-3 years ago when the Habs embarrassed the Pens in the first round of the playoffs.
Well hes not in Boston and the Bruins have not had the success we have. So the comparison is ridiculous. And we lost to Montreal in the bubble during covid. Sorry I dont even consider that embarrassing. They had carey price and ended up in the finals a year later. So they were not a push over team. You want to blame sully to fit your narrative it’s his everything is his fault without any factual objective analysis. HE DIDNT PUT TO MANY MEN ON THE ICE LOL that was the players mistake. Ask anyone who ever played hockey. He… Read more »