Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Alex Nylander discusses the current mood of the team's locker room and his several emergency recalls to the NHL level. PITTSBURGH - It was a must-win contest for the Pittsburgh Penguins who were lucky enough to be put back into the driver’s seat and in control of their playoff fate. With elevated odds to reach the postseason, the Penguins faced off against the worst team in the Western Conference in the Chicago Blackhawks. Tristan Jarry was given the start for the fifth straight game, and he was tested early. With a lot riding on this singular game, there was a couple of anxious moments from the Penguins and Jarry faced 13 total shots in the opening period. Neither team picked up a goal in the first period, but the Penguins definitely found some footing in the later stages. The Penguins looked like a hungry team while picking up nine shots on goal; the Blackhawks blocked 10 shots through the first 20 minutes. Despite the Penguins carrying momentum early in the second period, the Blackhawks took the first lead of the game. An innocent enough shot from Connor Murphy found its way through traffic and past Jarry to give the Blackhawks the 1-0 lead. The Penguins dominated the shot clock picking up 16 to the Blackhawks six, but it was Chicago who took the lead into the second intermission. With the entire season on the line, the final 20 minutes were going to be crucial for the Penguins. The Blackhawks started the third period by taking a pair of penalties and Evgeni Malkin finally broke Petr Mrazek’s armor to knot the game at one. A perfect set up from Rickard Rakell notched the first Penguins power play goal at home against the Blackhawks since 2011. The tie didn't last long as the Blackhawks answered back with their second goal of the game on their second shot of the third period. The Blackhawks weren't done, as they quickly added a third goal to the ledger on a wild misplay from Jarry. Tyler Johnson tacked on an empty net goal to push the Blackhawks up 4-1. The Penguins managed to make it a 4-2 contest in the dying seconds but the Blackhawks again potted an empty netter. It seems like the story of the season; the Penguins failed to capitalize on the numerous opportunities that were handed to them. The Penguins aren't totally out of the running for a spot in the postseason just yet, but it'll take a minor miracle at this point. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more! Dmitry Kulikov Returns to Penguins Lineup [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/dmitry-kulikov-returns-pittsburgh-penguins-lineup] Penguins Excited for Big Tests in Final Week [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-excited-big-tests-final-week] Odds Place Penguins Firmly Back in Playoff Race [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/odds-place-pittsburgh-penguins-firmly-playoff-race] Alex Nylander Yet Again Recalled by Penguins on Emergency Basis [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/alex-nylander-again-recalled-pittsburgh-penguins-emergency-basis] Penguins Control Own Destiny for Playoff Spot [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-control-own-destiny-playoff-spot] * undefined * undefined
