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Pittsburgh Penguins: Facing Adversity Down 2-1

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 01: Derick Brassard #19 of the Pittsburgh Penguins attempts to keep control of the puck from Dmitry Orlov #9 of the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 1, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derick Brassard;Dmitry Orlov
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 01: Derick Brassard #19 of the Pittsburgh Penguins attempts to keep control of the puck from Dmitry Orlov #9 of the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 1, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derick Brassard;Dmitry Orlov /
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The Pittsburgh Penguins are facing adversity yet again in these playoffs.

The Pittsburgh Penguins unfortunately faced another loss in their second round matchup against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. After a well fought game from both teams, the Penguins found themselves on the short end of the stick, losing by a score of 4-3.

We need to get back in this series. The Penguins have had several opportunities to score and they struggled throughout this series. On the other end, we have been letting in goals graciously. Let’s pick it up for game 4 and get right back in this series.

Offence

Last playoffs, the Penguins struggled with the apparent problem of figuring out how to score in the first period. We used to go scoreless in the first frame in several games. Now, it seems like history repeats itself, as we are struggling to score in the first period yet again.

Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins /

Pittsburgh Penguins

In every game of this series against the Capitals, we have struggled to even get one goal during the first period. Although we were able to pick it up in game 1, it has bit us in the back in games 2 and 3.

We are going to need our offence to come through more right off the bat in these upcoming games. Jake Guentzel and Sidney Crosby have been great these playoffs, and they really need to lead the charge. Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin, who were dynamite for us in the season, also need to sprinkle some of that offensive magic for us.

Defence

The Penguins need to bar down on defence. We have had too many instances where we’ve given up too many goals in a period. Take game 3 for example, we had solid 3-2 lead, and we gave up the two goals when it mattered most. We need to tighten up on the back end, especially in the third period.

The Penguins have faced adversity before. We’ve come back in the first round and beat the Flyers even when it looked like things were not going our way. We need to batten down the hatches, both offensively and defensively. If we can do this, we’ll get the Caps back.

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