PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – After rallying for an overtime point in Carolina, there was hope the Pens could make that a full two points Sunday at PPG Paints Arena. Pens had points in six of its last seven games home games against the Hurricanes. Instead, led by a nearly unstoppable power play, the Canes buried the Pens 5-1.
“We were all bad today,” said Pens head coach Dan Muse. “This time of year, it’s more disappointing than anything else. I’m not just putting this on players, I’m saying myself included, all of us who are involved.”
Sebastian Aho cashed in on a Ryan Graves penalty seconds into the game for an early 1-0 lead and while it was the same score at the first intermission it didn’t appear the Pens were that close. It wasn’t until 11:55 into the contest that Sidney Crosby had the Pens first shot.
Carolina took over the second with two more power play goals, one after a cross-check by Sam Girard and the other a trip by Evgeni Malkin.
“We can’t give up three goals on the penalty kill,” said Noel Acciari. “We are better than that.”
Pens did score late in the third, a driving goal from Egor Chinahkov, his 13th and second in as many games.
While it can be as much on the play of the people in front of them as the goalies themselves, the Pens have given up 15 goals in the last three games, two of them losses and the other went to overtime.
Last three games for Stuart Skinner has an under .900 save percentage, and four of the last five.
“We didn’t really bring any energy in front of him,” said defenseman Erik Karlsson. “I think he was the only one who battled hard all game. He kept the score to what it was.”
“Sometimes you have those games, it’s the teams that can get out of there the quickest that are able to stay in the playoff spots they are in,” Skinner said.
Heading down the stretch the Pens have won three of its last seven with 102-point Colorado at the arena on Tuesday. Then at Ottawa Thursday, Sens currently three points out of the Wild Card and home to the 97-point Dallas Stars on Saturday. Pens are at the Islanders and home to Detroit in back-to-back game to end the month.
“I don’t think we like the feeling of what we are feeling right now,” Muse said. “It’s a matter of pride and playing the game the right way and getting things on track as quickly as possible.”
“It gets harder and harder from this point on. We got to make sure we continue to elevate in all areas.”