Pens Labyrinth
Fansided

Non-calls and missed opportunities the killer in Penguins 3-0 loss to Devils

There were a lot of missed penalty calls that could have given the Penguins powerplays, and a couple missed open nets were the main reason the Penguins walked away with 0 points.

ByTyler Miller|
Dec 21, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck while being pursued by New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Dec 21, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck while being pursued by New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images | Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

The Penguins had a couple opportunities and got no help from the referees as they put up a dud in New Jersey in a 3-0 loss. Throughout the whole entire game, there were a lot of times that the refs could have called the Devils for penalties but decided not to. Tripping, Cross Checking, Hooking, there was a lot that was let go. Also the fact that Crosby missed an open net off the post, Malkin could've potted one on the near left side of the net, and he could've had a goal early in the first if he lifted the puck before going behind the net.

Malkin's missed opportunity set tone for the rest of the game

Early in the first period, the Devils' Brett Pesce turned the puck over to Malkin and Malkin went in on a mini breakaway. Malkin went all the way in and tried to go backhand but he waited too long and went around the net and did not even get the shot off.

If Malkin goes in a bit less and decides to shoot and or lift the puck, he scores and the Penguins would have taken a 1-0 lead and built momentum early in the game.

But Malkin did not even get to shoot the puck and it set the tone for the rest of the game, as the Penguins had no luck after this.

Jarry is not to blame for the loss

Most fans whenever the Penguins lose, love to blame Tristan Jarry because he is a common denominator and someone the fans love to get mad at. But he was not the reason for the loss in this one.

The Penguins generated no offense whatsoever, and the two goals that Jarry did give up, Ryan Shea was caught puck-watching and not boxing his man out, and Cody Glass decided not to make a play and move the puck out of the zone and it was poked past Jarry.

Neither of those plays are on him and the Penguins loss was strictly on generating only 12 shots on goal and not scoring on any puck luck.

Home/Penguins News

Schedule