Penguins Wrap: Strong Start, Sorry Ending; What About Guentzel?

The Pittsburgh Penguins wrapped up their workweek with a 3-2 in Las Vegas that concluded in the early hours of Sunday morning back in the East.

Giving up three unanswered goals to the Golden Knights in the third period had to be particularly deflating — if not galling — to the Penguins because they had played so well during the previous five periods, beginning with a 3-0 shutout against Seattle Monday.

Here’s a look back at a week that included a lot of time to rest and practice and only those two games:

Sunday

The Penguins have plenty of room for improvement as they reach the midpoint of the regular season.

Mike Sullivan says that switching personnel on the Penguins’ power play is “never off the table.”

Ryan Graves, who had been dropped to the No. 3 defense pairing because of subpar play for most of the season, is put back with Erik Karlsson on the second pair during practice at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

Penguins officials aren’t willing to say it, but they want — and need — to get more from Erik Karlsson.

Fourth-line center Noel Acciari, a late scratch for the Penguins’ 3-2 overtime loss at Carolina Saturday, participates in practice.

Monday

Sidney Crosby scores two goals and Tristan Jarry makes 22 saves in a 3-0 victory over Seattle at PPG Paints Arena.

Penguins players and coaches have high praise for the low-event game they played against the Kraken.

Could the recent strong play by Alex Nedeljkovic be contributing to Tristan Jarry’s stellar work of late?

Tuesday

It’s time for the Penguins to consider some personnel changes to their sputtering power play.

The Penguins put third-line winger Radim Zohorna on waivers.

Wednesday

The Penguins’ victory over the Seattle Kraken provided a template that would do well to follow for the rest of the regular season.

Radim Zohorna clears waivers and is assigned to the Penguins’ farm team in Wilkes-Barre, while defenseman Ryan Shea is recalled from there.

Mike Sullivan is a no-show for practice, but he has a good team: He just became a grandfather for the first time.

Thursday

President of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas says he has not had any trade talks about Jake Guentzel.

The Penguins have a few good reasons to consider trading Jake Guentzel, but even better ones to try to re-sign him before he reaches free agency this summer. (+)

There are several things to like — and several others to dislike — about where the Pittsburgh Penguins stand at this point of the season.

Friday

With the Penguins elevating their play in recent weeks, oddsmakers seem to feel that Mike Sullivan’ job is a little more secure than previously believe.

Defenseman Erik Karlsson is a no-show for the Penguins’ practice in Las Vegas.

Saturday

The Pittsburgh Penguins play two strong periods, then give up three goals in a span of 4:22 in the third in a 3-2 loss in Las Vegas.

Some of the Penguins’ best players were the primary culprits in their third-period collapse against the Golden Knights.

There’s something that’s generally overlooked in all the talk about the merits of the Penguins negotiating a trade for Jake Guentzel.