Penguins Wrap: Crosby Over Gretzky; AWOL Defense; Kids Arrive

The last full week of March was a mixed bag for the Pittsburgh Penguins. What rose above everything was — or probably should be — the latest outstanding achievement by team captain and all-time great Sidney Crosby.

With a goal Thursday against Buffalo, Crosby reached 80 points. Because he can top out at 80 games this season after missing a couple because of injury, that guaranteed he would finish with an average of at least one point a game. That makes it 20 such seasons — his entire NHL career — and moved him ahead of Wayne Gretzky for most seasons averaging a point a game in NHL history.

Crosby struggled to put that incredible proof of consistency into perspective, and that was because of the other big theme of the week.

After going on a 5-1-1 feel-good run, the Penguins face-planted. Their defensive play, their goaltending, to some extent their offense all collapsed in two lopsided losses that ended an 0-2-1 road trip.

Along the way, a couple players turned up injured, including second-line center Evgeni Malkin. That gave the Penguins an opening to do something many have been clamoring for. They called up a couple prospects who figure to be keystones in the team’s rebuild or retool or whatever we are calling it.

Catch up on all of it. Click the links.

Saturday: A question got answered when we learned that goaltending prospect Joel Blomqvist is injured, which is why he has not been playing with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. There were also other injury updates, as well as another tweak among the defensive pairings. It’s all in the Penguins practice report.

There was a thought that the suddenly improved play of goaltender Tristan Jarry was a bad thing because it could hurt the Penguins’ draft lottery odds. That’s not necessarily the case, according to a Dave Molinari column.

Sunday: Goaltending? Players getting out from under the pressure and playing well? What about Sidney Crosby’s hot streak? Take a look at some of the reason behind the Penguins surge.

Goaltender Tristan Jarry continued his strong play. Even as the Penguins blew a lead, he helped them salvage a point by getting past regulation. But once again, the shootout was not the Penguins’ friend as they lost to the Florida Panthers.

Shootouts have been a weak spot for the Penguins this season. Win a few more of them, and they might have been more involved in a playoff chase. But don’t blame Jarry, who earned Sullivan’s praise. It’s all in the report from the Penguins room.

Monday: If you missed this, you need to go back and read it. There are lots of interesting thoughts — starting with the cold fact that heart doesn’t make up for a lack of talent — in a Penguins blog.

Tuesday: Surprise! And not in a good way. Although he participated in the morning skate, Evgeni Malkin turned up injured and missed a game against Tampa Bay. Read about that and other injury updates.

Speaking of the morning skate, there were indications then that the Penguins were not on their game. Boy, did that play out as they got crushed by the Lightning.

The defense was nearly nonexistent. The Penguins didn’t get smacked so much as they found a lot of ways to take the self-inflicted path. It’s in the Penguins breakdown.

Wednesday: The Penguins’ road trip was not going well. That left a lot of questions. Were things about to get uglier? What the heck is the Penguins identity? And what about Jarry moving forward? Read some good insight in 3 Thoughts.

Evgeni Malkin joined practice, but not as a full participant. Coach Mike Sullivan, apparently sending a message, oversaw a longer session than normal. Details are in the practice report.

Thursday: After his strong season, after his heater coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off, Sidney Crosby seemed sure to break the record he shared with Wayne Gretzky for most point-per-game-seasons. A goal that, of course, took a lot of skill did the trick, and Crosby reached 20 years of greatness.

There was no rebound. No saving face. Despite Crosby’s big moment, the Penguins again were beyond flat and got stomped by Buffalo.

Washington sniper Alex Ovechkin and then-Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury were big parts of a chapter of the rivalry between the teams. Ovechkin orchestrated a handshake line for the Capitals to fete Fleury after a Minnesota win. Watch the video.

Not surprisingly given his personality and his competitive streak, Sidney Crosby had a difficult time talking about his latest milestone. Linemate Bryan Rust did a pretty good job, though. It’s in the report from the Penguins room.

Friday: With a few injuries up front, the Penguins took the opportunity to recall a couple forward prospects from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Read about Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen.

In another move with implications for the future, the Penguins promoted a top prospect from his junior club to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Read about defenseman Harrison Brunicke.