Mark Madden

Mark Madden

The Super Genius of Pittsburgh Sports.Full Bio

 

OT LOSS = MIXED BAG FOR PENS

Last night’s Penguins game was a mixed bag. 

If you’d told me the Penguins would go to Florida without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin but return home with three points in two games, I’d have taken it. 

But you can’t blow a 4-2 lead in the third period. (That said, the Penguins overcame a 2-0 deficit.)

Evan Rodrigues is proving he’s not a top-six. That’s not his fault. Injuries have placed him in a role he’s not qualified for. But look at the opportunities he’s flubbed, not least in last night’s OT. 

Kasperi Kapanen already frustrates: One assist in two games, numerous missed chances and stupid plays like his hooking penalty that negated a power play late in last night’s third period. 

The power play was two-for-nine. That’s not good enough, especially when an unconverted five-on-three is considered. 

Casey DeSmith was substandard in goal. The Penguins outshot Florida, 47-39. Better goaltending wins that game. 

Kris Letang got two more assists, bringing his season total to four. But Letang was minus-3. (He hates that stat.) 

Jeff Carter scored his 400th career goal. But he took an ill-advised shot into a block that led to a Florida goal. 

All that seems like nit-picking given the success of a Penguins’ road trip that had to wade through negative circumstance. 

But at season’s end, we’re going to realize that every point counts. 

The Penguins are very borderline. They need to make the playoffs in October and November, because they’re not cut out to rally in March and April.

Thumbnail via Getty Images


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