Back in 1979, the Police scored a smash hit with Message in a Bottle. The refrain…”Sending out an SOS”…seems to sum up where our Penguins are mentally in the wake of yet another come-from-in-front overtime loss. This one by a 5-4 count to Utah this afternoon at PPG Paints Arena.
Again, we took a multi-goal lead into the third period. Again, we collapsed like a veritable house of cards when a foe pushed back. Indeed, the Mammoth scored twice within a 15-second span, three times in 4:28, and four in 5:59.
The victim this time? Highly touted rookie netminder Sergei Murashov, instead of reclamation project Arturs Silovs. So much for our goalie wearing the goat horns.
Unlike yesterday, when the Pens pretty much had their way with the Sharks until they didn’t, the black-and-gold managed just 16 shots on goal, including 10 through 40 minutes.
Still, to fritter away yet another multiple-goal lead?
Inexcusable.
No doubt, the Pens are fragile bunch right now. You can almost sense an audible shift the moment the other team finds the back of our net.
How we work our way through this, especially with a dearth of practice time, is anyone’s guess. It was suggested by either Paul Steigerwald or Brian Metzer on the postgame radio show that the Pens approach the third period with the same mindset as the first.
Great idea. Perhaps easier said than done.
In the meantime, the string of gut-wrenching losses continues.
Puckpourri
Not to be pollyanna, but again there were some positives amid the gloom. Justin Brazeau scored two goals, including the game-tying tally with 5:54 left, on plays around the Mammoth net. His second two-goal game of the campaign.
Man, if this guy can score even 20 goals for us? Found money.
Ben Kindel assisted on both Brazeau goals and struck on a breakaway early in the second period courtesy of a beautiful lead pass from Ryan Shea to put us up by three. The first three-point game of Kid Kindie’s career.
Unfortunately, he also turned the puck over in OT, which led directly to Dylan Guenther’s game-winner.
He’ll learn.
Despite yielding five goals, Murashov acquitted himself well between the pipes, especially during a couple of second-period, power-play opportunities. Although it might not be the best thing for his development at this stage, I wouldn’t mind seeing the young prodigy stick with the big club and rotate with newcomer Stuart Skinner. Which would leave Silovs as the odd-man out.
Another thing I wouldn’t mind? Seeing Kris Letang spend a game or two (or three) in the press box while Jack St. Ivany gets a look. Or, taking it one step further, seeing Kyle Dubas deal Tanger to the Canadiens for Josh Anderson in an exchange of problem contracts.
It’ll never happen, of course.
I’d also consider sending Ville Koivunen back to the Baby Pens while promoting pepper pot Avery Hayes. The speed of the NHL game seems to be an issue for Ville.
Scoff if you will, but I also think Boko Imama should be promoted. We desperately lack the controlled aggression, spirit and jam he provides, undervalued commodities around these parts. After going 2-0 with Boko in the lineup, we’re 0-1-4 since he was re-assigned to the Baby Pens.
Once Brett Kulak arrives, Ryan Graves would be my odd-man out on the left side of defense.
Up next, Tristan Jarry and the Oilers on Tuesday night. He backstopped the Oil to a 6-3 victory over Toronto on Saturday. Sounds like he’s happy to be back in Edmonton, where he played his junior hockey.
In the useless trivia department, the Mammoth defensive corps includes former Pens Ian Cole, John Marino and Olli Määttä.
Despite our recent run of misfortune, we somehow slipped back into the second Eastern Conference wild card spot. Since our 8-2-2 October, we’ve gone a deceptive 6-6-7.
Thank goodness for loser points.
Lord, do we miss Evgeni Malkin and Blake Lizotte. Can’t get those two back soon enough.