The Pittsburgh Penguins and writing and living out the same script game after game. They fall to 3-6-1 after dropping the final game to Vancouver by the score of 4-3 on the West Coast/Canadian road trip.
The only difference on Saturday night is that the slow-starting Penguins grabbed an early 2-0 lead. However, the same issues prevailed with the Canucks roaring back to score four goals in the second period.
Final stats from tonight. pic.twitter.com/7I0bGhA2rm
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 27, 2024
Per usual, the team was required to play a lot of defense, putting goalie Alex Nedeljkovic in the situation to make many saves to keep them in the game. Nedeljkovic faced 34 shots, surrendering four goals for ann 88.2% save percentage. Conversely, the Penguins had just 24 shots, scoring three goals. Neither team converted on its power plays; two for the Penguins and three for the Canucks.
Post game comments did not shed light on problems
Coach Mike Sullivan's postgame comments televised on Sportsnet Pittsburgh did not provide any insight on why this team of talented successful individual is not playing better.
He mentioned missed assignments and lack of attention to detail. Sullivan was asked if Erik Karlsson needs to step it up. He said that Karlsson does, along with the rest of the team. Karlsoon has one goal and five assists through ten games.
I’m not sure how the Penguins can keep dressing Erik Karlsson. Or like four of their other defensemen.
— Adam Wagner (@AdamWagner1990) October 27, 2024
Fans can take "comfort" in knowing that this 3-6-1 start is not the worst ten game start for the team in the shootout era, but things need to improve quickly. The free fall down the Metropolitan Division standings continues with the Penguins now in seventh place in front of the 2-5-1 Philadelphia Flyers.
Next game is a special one
The Penguins are home on Tuesday night, October 29 hosting the Minnesota Wild. Marc-Andre Fleury will make his final appearance in Pittsburgh as the Wild's confirmed starting goalie. As a member of the Penguins from 2003-2017, Fleury holds all of the Penguins goal tending franchise records including games played (691), minutes played (39,769), wins (375), saves (17,774), and shutouts (44). Minnesota is 5-1-2 and in third place in the Western division.
This game is shaping up to be both emotional and difficult for Fleury, the Penguins, and the fans with many expected to wear Fleury's Pittsburgh jersey for the game.