Pittsburgh Penguins: How Inconsistency is Undermining Their Season

The Pittsburgh Penguins are undeniably a frustrating team to watch, a sentiment few would contest. To shed light on this frustration, consider their recent performance: after an impressive five-game winning streak, they returned home only to suffer an embarrassing 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils.

Notably, the Devils were grappling with their own challenges, coming off a three-game losing streak and missing key forwards Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, and Jack Hughes. This issue with the Penguins isn’t an anomaly; it’s a concerning pattern. Losing games that should be within their grasp is simply unacceptable.

The Pens Lost Too Many Winnable Games

Examining our past games, there are several matchups where the Penguins clearly should have come out on top, considering the roster matchups. These include losses to the Chicago Blackhawks (4-2), Detroit Red Wings (6-3), St. Louis Blues (4-2), Ottawa Senators (5-2), and the recent New Jersey Devils game (5-2).

I’d even add the disheartening loss to the Ducks on October 30th, where we conceded in the final seconds, ending 4-3. In my view, the only somewhat justifiable loss was against the Dallas Stars. With the talent and roster depth we have, the Pittsburgh Penguins should be comfortably leading the Metro division.

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Sure, you could argue that a few of those losses might be reasonable, just to present a balanced view. However, when you look at these defeats collectively, they just don’t add up. If the Penguins continue this trend for the rest of the 2023-24 season, we’re in for a rough ride. And let’s be clear, I’m not ignoring the fact that winning streaks do end.

But it’s the manner in which our streak concluded that’s concerning – against an injury-plagued New Jersey Devils, a crucial division matchup, right here in Pittsburgh. My expectation was for the streak to possibly end against the Hurricanes this Saturday night or in our first game of the season against the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Las Vegas Knights, on Sunday. This loss, however, raises more questions than it answers.

What Inconsistencies Are the Problem?

So, what’s at the heart of the Penguins’ inconsistency? Where are they faltering in their games? Is Tristan Jarry part of the problem? Here are my thoughts on the areas they urgently need to address:

1. Turnovers: A major issue is turnovers in the offensive zone, combined with a weak response in the neutral zone. If you’re going to lose control of the puck, at least hustle back to support your goalie.
2. Defense: Our defense around the net lacks physical presence. Players like Letang and Graves often seem lost, almost playing a game of ‘Where’s Waldo’ in our defensive zone.
3. Tristan Jarry: Yes, he needs to be held accountable too. Jarry has moments of brilliance with some incredible saves, but he’s also prone to letting in questionable goals, partly due to inadequate defensive support. And his tendency to play the hero by leaving the net – like in the game against Columbus – needs to stop. Stay in the net, Jarry, and stay sharp!

The Pens are at a critical juncture. If they fail to remedy these glaring issues, their position in the standings will only worsen, potentially leading to a playoff miss – a scenario reminiscent of their recent games against the Devils and Ducks.

This team has staked everything – finances, future prospects, their heart and soul – on their core trio, aiming for another Stanley Cup before this Crosby/Malkin/Letang era concludes. Recall last year’s disappointment: not even securing a playoff berth. The clock is ticking; the Penguins need to strategize and act swiftly to turn the tide.