Penguins’ Room: Crosby Shakes Head, Failure to Hold Leads Concerning
BOSTON — The Pittsburgh Penguins don’t have a single victory in their past five games, and the final scores aren’t the only troubling thing about that streak.
They have failed to protect late leads in several of those games, including their 2-1 loss to Boston at Fenway Park in the NHL’s Winter Classic game Monday.
“We have to find a way to close out games,” Sidney Crosby said. “We had the four-goal lead there (against Detroit last Wednesday) and have a lead going into the third period (against Boston). At least get a point.
“When you have a lead in the third like that, it’s not easy when you give up the lead, but you have to find a way to gather at least a point out of it and easy what happens in overtime. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do that, and we have to learn from it. We did some good things tonight, so we have to try to build off that.”
Despite his disappointment, Crosby acknowledged that the Penguins played a generally sound game,
“Everybody was pretty solid,” he said. “It’s tough that we weren’t able to build on that lead and let them hang around and they capitalized on a couple. … It was a pretty even game all the way through, I thought.”
Jake Guentzel:
The Penguins seemed to have a reasonably secure grip on the game after two periods, but things swung decidedly in Boston’s direction during the final 20 minutes.
“I’m not sure (if the game changed then),” Jake Guentzel said. “Maybe the emotions were off a little bit but I think it was a good game, overall. Back and forth. I thought we played well. Just a couple of lapses there. But they’re a good team, too.”
He also praised the work of goalie Casey DeSmith, who was pressed into service after Tristan Jarry was injured in the first period.
“He played amazing,” Guentzel said. “Gave us a chance to win.”
Mike Sullivan:
Exasperated as he surely was by having a third-period lead melt into a 2-1 defeat, Mike Sullivan acknowledged that the Pittsburgh Penguins had been pretty solid in all phases of the game, and could have picked up a point or two if a few things had broken their way.
“It was obviously a real competitive hockey game,” he said. “It was a pretty even game. There’s a fine line between winning and losing, and we ended up on the wrong side of it tonight.”
Just how close was it? Well, the Penguins had just a two-shot deficit, 29-27, and come within less than a second of getting No. 28 — and putting the game into overtime. The Penguins got a puck past Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark, but time had expired before the puck got into the net.
“It was such a game of momentum,” Sullivan said. “We had it for stretches, they had it for stretches. I don’t think there were a lot of real high-quality looks on either side. There’s a fine line between winning and losing. It comes down to some subtle details and some timely plays.”
So bummed at the ending, saw the puck go in and thought we tied it. So close!
If Malkin was quicker releasing the puck we could have ties that games, He played a good game but I find he’s not quick enough on much,like he even thought that one was in but too slow releasing, something to look at I would say.
EIGHT third period leads blown. So far, that is the story of this season.
Please hold onto the Number 1 pick..It may be really good
2-1 loss to the best team in the league while your top 2Dman are out. The sky isn’t falling. There’s work to do. Enjoy the fact that this team has been competitive and still is. High draft picks are no guarantee of a competitive team.
Exactly. It could have been a blowout.
This. And Its too bad our cap position makes it hard to sit dumo when out two best D cone back.
Any time Sid wants to shoot the puck is OK with me. Waiting, still waiting . . .
Why would Sully switch Rakell and Rust? Rackell is perfect with Sid, and Rust is perfect with Malkin. That’s as plain as the nose on your face – just watch their style!!!
Sid should have been on the ice, in place of Malkin last few seconds, don’t understand Sully in that play,Sid on Bench, other times I see that too Malkin will never be replaced for Sid in my eyes
They need to make sure that Sid gets the puck on the PP (and is told to SHOOT, DON’T PASS! There are many reasons that isn’t happening!
Sid does as Sid pleases.
Played a relatively good game until they didn’t. Not bad for playing the team with the best record so far this season. Penguins problem is between their ears, from Sully on down. A need to change the team culture .
Jarry out again? Getting old!