Special teams errors proved to be costly for the Pittsburgh Penguins against their cross state rivals.
Special teams errors proved to be costly for the Pittsburgh Penguins against their cross state rivals.
Coming into Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers had similar special teams situations. Neither power play has found a rhythm this season, but their respective penalty kill units have proven pivotal in keeping them in games.
Unfortunately for the Penguins, the script remained the same, and the power play likely cost them a massive victory over their division rivals.
Goal Recap
(PIT 1-0) Kris Letang (2): Unassisted
(TIE 1-1) Owen Tippett (8): Tyson Foerster (5)
(PIT 2-1) Jake Guentzel (8): Erik Karlsson (13) & Bryan Rust (8)
(TIE 2-2) Scott Laughton (2): Nick Seeler (6) *SHG*
(PHI 3-2) Tyson Foerster (4): Cam York (6) & Sean Couturier (11) *PPG*
(TIE 3-3) Jake Guentzel (9): Bryan Rust (9) & Evgeni Malkin (11)
(PHI SO Winner): Sean Couturier
Three Stars
3. Marcus Pettersson
Pettersson continues to put together a stellar season for the Penguins. He made several big-time pass breakups to shut down what could've been grade-A chances for the Flyers.
The veteran defenseman has been the most consistent defensive player on the Penguins' blue line and had some offensive jump in this game. On multiple occasions, Pettersson jumped up in the offensive zone, cutting to the net and creating either a scoring chance or drawing a penalty. However far the Penguins go this season, Pettersson will have a large part in taking them there.
2. Jake Guentzel
Like Pettersson, Guentzel has flown under the radar despite his stellar play. He was front and center in this game, scoring two third-period goals for the Penguins, including the game-tying marker with under a minute left in regulation.
Guentzel continues to be one of the more underrated goal-scorers in the league. He scored 36 in a "down" season last year and is on pace for 32 this season.
1. Owen Tippett
Tippett was one of the first players that the Flyers gave an opportunity when they decided to "go young" and rebuild their roster. Tippett was the best player for the Flyers in this game and created multiple high-danger chances.
Most notably, Tippett's speed created breakaways on back-to-back shifts in the second period, capitalizing on his second chance to tie the game up at one in the second period. He almost ended the night in overtime in similar fashion but was caught by Evgeni Malkin on the back check.
Final Thoughts
Heads need to roll on the Penguins power play. Mike Sullivan has preached patience with the team's top unit, but they are now 0 for their last 26 opportunities and were the primary factor in the Penguins' loss.
Scott Laughton's game-tying shorthanded goal was a direct result of Malkin's effort, or lack thereof, at the top of the zone. Later in the period, Erik Karlsson took a lazy penalty on the man advantage, giving the Flyers the power play opportunity that would lead to their third goal of the game.
Sullivan hasn't been shy when addressing players at the bottom of the lineup when they make mistakes. However, as he continues to preach patience with the Penguins' top players, they repeat the same errors and cost the team standings points. Something has to give.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtiZnXF0XEM[/embed]
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