Penguins Gambles Aren’t Paying Off

A few articles back, I wrote somewhat tongue-in-cheek about the curse of Jeff Petry. How his Canadiens morphed from Stanley Cup finalist in 2021 to the worst team in the league last season. Hinting that could be the Penguins’ fate with the 34-year-blueliner on board. I was sort of kidding at the time. I’m not kidding any more. Given the way we’ve played over the past half-dozen games, coupled with the improvement of clubs like the Sabres, Devils and the resurgent Islanders? There’s a good chance our 16-season postseason run will come to an end. Lots of folks are blaming our goaltenders for our present malaise. While Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith have hardly been airtight, I’m not one of them. I think they’re doing the best they can given the way the team’s performing (make that underperforming) in front of them. There are just so many disturbing trends. The inability to play a full 60 minutes. The inability to play with and protect a lead. And I’m not talkin’ one-goal leads, but two- and even three-goal advantages. The fact that we’ve been outscored 13-1 in third periods and overtimes during our six-game winless streak. Continue reading Penguins Gambles Aren’t Paying Off at Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog.

Penguins Gambles Aren’t Paying Off
Penguins Gambles Aren’t Paying Off

A few articles back, I wrote somewhat tongue-in-cheek about the curse of Jeff Petry. How his Canadiens morphed from Stanley Cup finalist in 2021 to the worst team in the league last season. Hinting that could be the Penguins’ fate with the 34-year-blueliner on board.

I was sort of kidding at the time. I’m not kidding any more. Given the way we’ve played over the past half-dozen games, coupled with the improvement of clubs like the Sabres, Devils and the resurgent Islanders? There’s a good chance our 16-season postseason run will come to an end.

Lots of folks are blaming our goaltenders for our present malaise. While Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith have hardly been airtight, I’m not one of them. I think they’re doing the best they can given the way the team’s performing (make that underperforming) in front of them.

There are just so many disturbing trends. The inability to play a full 60 minutes. The inability to play with and protect a lead. And I’m not talkin’ one-goal leads, but two- and even three-goal advantages. The fact that we’ve been outscored 13-1 in third periods and overtimes during our six-game winless streak.

Continue reading Penguins Gambles Aren’t Paying Off at Pittsburgh Penguins - PenguinPoop Blog.