Sweet Lame Chicago; Penguins Officially Eliminated in Lifeless Loss

CHICAGO — It was a mere formality, but Sunday, it indeed became official when the Pittsburgh Penguins sleepwalked through 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.

Rickard Rakell (34) tied his career high later in the third period when he snapped a quick pass from Bryan Rust at 5:20 of the third period, but it wasn’t enough. The loss means the Penguins cannot catch the Montreal Canadiens and officially cannot make the 2024-25 Stanley Cup Playoffs, their third consecutive miss.

The teams made highlights or actionable moments difficult to find. At times, implying they were going through the motions would have incorrectly implied motion.

The Penguins and Blackhawks combined for just 25 shots after 30 minutes and zero goals. Not long after the halfway moments of the game, Penguins center Blake Lizotte almost scored a goal, but he did so by deflecting a puck that was over his head. It was an easy goal to waive off, and no one argued.

The Sunday afternoon energy continued through the second period as the teams fumbled passes and would-be scoring chances. Gave large gaps, and otherwise remained on the perimeter.

After 37 minutes, the teams combined for nearly as many giveaways (29) as shots (30).

At the same 37-minute mark, the Penguins earned the first power play of the game. Rickard Rakell hit the post, and Rutger McGroarty took the puck to the net for a nice chance, but the game didn’t remain scoreless.

For those who have closely followed the Penguins’ trials and tribulations, it should come as no surprise that the Penguins’ top two defensemen badly misplayed a sequence, leading to the game’s first goal.

Chicago forward–and former McGroarty linemate at Michigan–Frank Nazar scored a shorthanded goal after Erik Karlsson’s bad pinch that missed everything, resulting in a two-on-one. Then, Kris Letang focused on the puck carrier in the offensive zone but didn’t disrupt the rush, leading to Nazar’s (9) breakaway goal.

It was a short-handed goal.

McGroarty also had the best Penguins’ 5v5 scoring chance in the first two periods with a hard rip from the high slot midway through the second period.

The teams traded power plays at the end of the second period and beginning of the third, with the biggest crowd reactions reserved for the intermission contest winners.

Chicago scored ANOTHER breakaway goal midway through the third period when Ilkya Mikheyev (19) breezed past Penguins defender Conor Timmins.

Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic made a few stellar saves, and stopped 27 of 29. Chicago goalie Spencer Knight was good when the Penguins pushed late in the third period. Knight stopped 27 of 28 shots for the win.

Penguins Notes

Evgeni Malkin was injured at the 14:20 mark of the third period. He tangled with Teuvo Taraveinen and fell hard on his arm. He continued playing.

Bryan Rust and Rakell each had five shots on goal to lead all players.