If The Defense does not improve, It will not matter who starts in goal

The Penguins defense has been absolutely abysmal to start the year and if they do not turn it around, the goalie that starts games will not matter. For right now, the issue has seemed to be starting Jarry in games, which in two games, he's given up 12 goals on 73 shots. While that is a major outlier in why the team is struggling, it is not the only reason.

The defense pinching up and giving up so many odd man rushes against every game, is the reason why this team is struggling. It is the reason why starting any of the 3 goaltenders on the roster, right now simply does not matter.

There was one instance in the recent game against the Winnipeg Jets, where defenseman Matt Grzelcyk was caught in an odd man rush on a 4-on-4 situation at the end of the second period. And he tried to slide to break up the pass and it got by him and Jets forward Vladislav Namestnikov had an easy tap-in and the Jets had the lead 3-2 going into the third period.

It is also the fact that the defense has given up 31 goals in 7 games and the team is 3-4 to start the season. It also does not help that Kris Letang and Marcus Pettersson both look lost on the ice. They both look like they have no idea what to do and the puck is lava when it is on their sticks.

Head coach Mike Sullivan's system is built on trying to pinch up and keep the puck in the zone and immediately go from offense to defense. That will not work with this lineup and how old they are. Most of the players especially on defense, can not do that anymore and do not have the speed to keep up.

When it comes to swapping Jack St Ivany and Ryan Shea in the lineup, it does not matter. Both are not great at defense and are what they are. All of the defensemen on this team need to step up and make life easier on the three goaltenders.

Jarry, Nedeljkovic, and Blomqvist, cannot and will not save the team if the defense continues to play horrid and make life in front of them a living nightmare.