Penguins Wrap: A Week Full of Fun, Failure & Frustration

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ week started with a day off and ended with a thud.

A couple of them, actually.

The Penguins didn’t practice Sunday, allowing the players to watch the Super Bowl and recover from a humbling 6-0 defeat in Los Angeles the previous night.

They rebounded with a 3-1 victory in San Jose Tuesday but, after a quick stop at home, lost on Long Island, 5-4, Friday, after failing to hold a pair of two-goal leads.

The Penguins were back at PPG Paints less than 24 hours later, but suffered another disheartening defeat, 5-2, to New Jersey.

Here’s a look back at the week that was:

Sunday (Feb. 12)

The Penguins have developed a perplexing, and disturbing, penchant for allowing opponents to abuse their teammates without retaliating. (+)

A look at some of the third-line centers Ron Hextall might target before the March 3 trade deadline.

Monday

The Penguins offer an encouraging update on Tristan Jarry, but also announce that Mark Friedman was injured against the Kings.

Tuesday

Although they aren’t a lock to qualify for the playoffs, the Penguins appear to have a lot going for them in that battle.

The Penguins survive an often-leaky team defense to pick up a badly needed 3-1 win over the Sharks.

Wednesday

Casey DeSmith lost his shutout late, but still recorded 38 saves and was a major factor in the victory at San Jose.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are among the teams that have shown interest in a free-agent defenseman from Finland.

Thursday

Would the Penguins consider parting with — or adding — a defenseman before the March 3 trade deadline?

The Penguins head to Long Island to close out the road trip that began with three games in California.

Friday

The Penguins have problems, and they are many. And costly. (+)

The Penguins squander a golden opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the New York Islanders in the race for an Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

The window for the Pittsburgh Penguins to be serious Stanley Cup contenders has just about closed. If it hasn’t already.

A pair of two-goal leads weren’t enough to prevent the Penguins from losing to the Islanders.

Saturday

The Penguins hoped to rebound from their disappointment on Long Island when they faced New Jersey at PPG Paints Arena. It didn’t happen.

The poor performance of the Penguins’ third line has spawned a lot of questions. Jeff Carter is among those who have no answers.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have made a habit of not responding well to adversity this season. Kris Letang thinks he might know why.