The Penguins 3-game series against New Jersey came to a disappointing, dissatisfying and mostly dull conclusion when Jesper Bratt beat Tristan Jarry on a wraparound 2:50 into overtime to give the Devils a 2-1 win, their second of the 3 games.
Instead of feasting on the East's second-worst team, and taking 5 or even 6 points, the Pens took just 3 points and failed to gain ground on the division leaders. Then again, playing without Evgeni Malkin and Teddy Bleuger plus losing Branden Tanev for the last 2 games, taking at least that many points beats the alternative.
Stoned Again
Although they finally managed to beat Taylor Wedgewood Saturday, the Penguins failed to solve MacKenzie Blackwood Sunday. Sidney Crosby scored from a sharp angle 3:36 into the game but they wouldn't beat Blackwood again and the Devils had the better of the play for the most part.
Too Little Too Late
The Pens were outshot in each of the first two periods until finally showing some life in the third with an 11-7 advantage. "I like our push in the third," Crosby said, "I thought we waited a little bit; I thought we could have been a little bit better in the first couple of periods."
Jarry Deserved Better
Once again, goaltending gave the team a chance to win.
Although he could have been quicker on the wraparound in OT, Jarry finished with 33 saves and among those a handful of point blank stops. "Yeah, he's been plysing great for us," defenseman John Marino said. "He's always given us chances to stay in the game. Unfortunately, we didn't help him out too much."
Depth Perception
The only scoring came from the top line (oddly enough, Crosby was on the ice for both NJ goals as well). "It was help if could get some more from the bottom lines," Mike Sullivan said, stating the obvious, while allowing for the challenges of playing without 3 of his top 9 forwards.
Wanna Get Away?
After 5 games in, actually, 6-and-a-half days, the Penguins don't play again until Wednesday and are off altogether Monday. "I think it comes at at an opportune time," Sullivan agreed. "We'll get away from it here for a day-and-a-half or so. I think this next day is important just from a recovery standpoint." Of course, the Pens have another set of back-to-backs against Buffalo starting Wednesday.
Tanev Update
Sullivan offered a little clarity regarding Tanev who didn't even take the warm-up Sunday. "He injured himself in the first game against Jersey," Sullivan said, "he had left practice (Friday) in-between games and right now his status is day-to-day.
Strange Stat
A strange season will bring strange stats. Jake Guentzel, never shy about shooting the puck, not only didn't get a shot on a goal he wasn't credited with attempting any shots at all, while playing nearly 19 minutes. He did have the primary assist on Crosby's goal.
