The Penguins put up their first stinker in a long time in their 3-0 shutout loss in New Jersey on Saturday. What began as a promising start slowly devolved into a mind-numbing slog with no offensive output.
With the Flyers coming to town in the last game until after the Christmas holiday, here are some Do's and Don'ts for the Penguins to get a must-needed win in the division.
2 Do's
Hit the dang net.
Too few shots were on net against New Jersey, and in a game where Jacob Markstrom sat with his walrus-like frame between the pipes, shots needed to be shots on goal for the Penguins to have a chance. Only 12 shots got through against Jersey. That's not going to cut it against Philly's goalies.
The Flyers have three goaltenders with more than 10 games played this season, and all of them have a GAA (goals above average) over 3.00 and a SV% (save percentage) under .885. Regardless of who is in net for Philadelphia, shots have to be on net for Pittsburgh. Simple, yes, but a shot can't go in the net if it's not on net. They'll go in against Philly. You just have to give them a chance to go in.
Keep the same defensive philosophy.
The first period against New Jersey was excellent (barring the lack of a goal being scored). The defensive structure was sound, and the Devils never had extended looks in the attacking zone until late in the second period.
For Mike Sullivan, stick to what worked in the first period on Saturday and follow it up with a full 60 minute finish. Toward the end things started to break down, but the initial philosophy was effective. More of that, please.
2 Don'ts
Don't let THEIR antagonizing turn into OUR penalties.
The Penguins and Flyers split their four-game season series in 2023-24. Three of those games were decided by just a single goal. In tight contests, things can get chippy between the in-state rivals. And let's be real - nobody likes the Flyers. But keeping a level head when they inevitably try to antagonize is paramount in this first matchup.
As much as Philadelphia likes to get under your skin, the Penguins can't give in. A friendly reminder that the best way to get back at an antagonist is to put one in the back of their net. Don't succumb to the bait. It's what they want. Don't do it.
Do NOT (by any means) let this game go to overtime.
Look, the Penguins have benefited from some overtime heroics in this linsanity run, but do NOT bank on that happening against the Flyers. This team loves overtime, and they will probably win it too. They beat Columbus on Saturday night by forcing overtime with a super late goal and won on a transition shot after having no possession prior.
The Flyers are 8-4 in overtimes games this season. They are the anti-New York Islanders (loser point merchants). They get to overtime... and win.
This is a game that needs to be won in regulation for a myriad of reasons, one of which, obviously, being the Flyers' incredible overtime record. Another is that points are beginning to become too valuable for the Penguins to just be giving them out. If two points are available, the Penguins have to win them. Subsequently, if points are available to other Metro teams, the Penguins can't hand them out.
Philadelphia is just one point behind Pittsburgh (with a game in hand). Lest I remind Penguins fans that we have negative net games in hand, and are still on the outside of the playoff picture. The Metro has been an Achilles heel for the Penguins this year, but it cannot continue - not if the playoffs are a desire at this juncture of the season (and they can be.)
Tip-off from PPG Paints Arena is set for 7pm EST.