Pittsburgh Penguins’ Recent Struggles
In a challenging weekend that saw them earn just one point from four against the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings, the Pittsburgh Penguins are set to take a brief break in Sweden, starting Monday. Their luck seems to have dwindled as they are no longer in the league’s top ten for PDO metrics, as reported by Moneypuck. Injuries have compounded their issues, leading the team to struggle in maintaining leads, particularly in the latter stages of games.
Latest Match Recap
The latest match concluded on Sunday, where the Penguins squandered a 2-1 lead against the Kings and ultimately fell 3-2. The goals from Tommy Novak and Anthony Mantha initially put Pittsburgh ahead, but Los Angeles rallied in the third period, netting two goals from Corey Perry and Kevin Fiala.
Sergei Murashov, the 21-year-old rookie goaltender who made his NHL debut, demonstrated remarkable skill by rejecting 24 out of the 27 shots he faced, even managing to make a pivotal save during a dangerous shorthanded situation in the second period. Murashov’s agility and reaction time were on full display, and he acknowledged the support of his teammates, who were playing their third game in four nights. Despite the promising debut, he noted areas for improvement after the game, stating:
“I need some time just to watch video and see what more I can do better, where I was good.”
Concerns and Future Adjustments
However, the Penguins’ trend of losing leads late has become a cause for concern. Head Coach Mike Muse pointed out that while the issue may not solely be confined to the third period, a lack of adherence to defensive details has hurt the team’s performance.
“We need to do a better job of generating more five-on-five chances on both sides,”
Muse emphasized following the defeat, acknowledging the need for improvements.
Fans showed considerable concern when 18-year-old rookie Ben Kindel suffered a hit from Kings’ defenseman Brandt Clarke and left the game, only to return in the second period. His temporary absence highlighted his growing importance to the team, as Pittsburgh struggled to maintain possession during that period.
The Penguins’ current injury predicament is dire, missing key players such as Rickard Rakell and Tristan Jarry, and this situation is beginning to take its toll on the team’s performance depth. Moving forward, the Penguins may need to consider adjustments to their lineup, potentially calling up younger players from the AHL to provide added energy as they approach their upcoming games in Sweden.
Looking Ahead
As they prepare for the NHL Global Series in Stockholm, the team aims for better results, hoping the trip can serve as a unifying experience. Muse stated:
“It’s a great opportunity… but at the end, we need points.”
With their record currently at 9-5-3 for the season, the Penguins are due for a turnaround as they face the Nashville Predators.
