Penguins Mistakes Add Up in Loss to Coyotes
The Pittsburgh Penguins have come up on the losing end of both games in their mini road trip.
PITTSBURGH – Wrapping up their brief road trip out west, the Pittsburgh Penguins took on the Arizona Coyotes at the intimate Mullett Arena. After letting a two-goal lead slip away in their previous game, the Penguins hoped to have a better performance in Arizona.
The Penguins rolled out the same exact lineup and looked to extend a lengthy point streak against the Coyotes.
First Period
It didn’t take much time for the Coyotes to get the early advantage, however, as former Penguins fan favorite Jason Zucker kicked off the scoring. The goal was credited as the Coyotes’ first shot of the game and assisted by Pittsburgh native Logan Cooley on a great one-handed effort.
The Penguins played from behind for the rest of the frame as the Coyotes took their 1-0 lead into the first intermission. It seemed like a struggle for the Penguins to capture any sort of offense as even their power play once again failed to look at all threatening.
Heading into this contest, the Penguins power play was at 13.57% good for 30th in the NHL.
Second Period
This battle featured the two goalies tied for the league lead with five shutouts between Jarry and Connor Ingram, but this game would not see a sixth shutout from either netminder. The Penguins broke through on a puck that barely made it’s way through Ingram.
P.O. Joseph made a great play to steal a pass then quickly transitioned to offense as a hard shot from Lars Eller just fell behind the Coyotes goalie to knot the score.
The Coyotes regained their lead thanks to a perfectly placed shot from Juuso Valimaki who recorded his first goal of the season.
Another power play opportunity slipped away from the Penguins, but before the Coyotes could get their man back in the play, Sidney Crosby scored a ridiculous one-timer from a bad angle. From just above the goal line, Crosby slapped a pass from Erik Karlsson the shocked Ingram and beat him clean.
It was another tie game, but for the third time, the Coyotes would find themselves with a lead. A strange bounce and awkward positioning left the Coyotes open to easily beat Jarry and carry a 3-2 lead into the second intermission.
Third Period
The third period kicked off normal as usual, but it didn't take long for the Penguins to continue digging in the hole they were already in. While possessing the puck with a delayed penalty coming up against the Coyotes, Kris Letang handed a drop pass to Evgeni Malkin who couldn't get a handle and it softly slipped into an empty Penguins net.
The own goal gave the Coyotes a 4-2 lead and seemed to take the wind completely out of the Penguins' sails. They once again didn't look threatening whatsoever on the ensuing power play.
Another former Penguin in Nick Bjugstad made it 5-2 Coyotes with an easy breakaway chance.
This was arguably the Penguins worst game of the season and an all around embarrassing performance from most of the team. Crosby continued his MVP pace, Jarry made a few great saves, but everything else seemed awful.
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