PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pens had as quick a start as they’ve had this year, it was most of the other 48 minutes that were an issue in a 3-1 loss to Washington.
Caps took over with multiple power play opportunities and while they went 0 for 4 in the period, they were able to gain momentum and score a pair of goals and really take control of the game.
“It felt like the entire second period we were short-handed,” said forward Teddy Blueger. “We’d kill one off and a couple of shifts later get another one. It was tough to generate momentum. They kept playing offense, shift after shift after shift. It was tough to generate any offense for us or sustain pressure that period. That’s when they really took the game over. We didn’t recover from that.”
"I think we self-inflicted there,” said head coach Mike Sullivan. “Eight of the 20 minutes we were in the box. It just takes guys out of the game. It takes guys out of the flow. It gives Washington momentum even when they don’t score. We certainly didn't help ourselves."
Tristan Jarry faced 42 shots, 34 of them in the first two periods.
Sheary Hurts Pens Again
Conor Sheary has played in seven career games against the Pens. A total of 87 minutes and 16 seconds. The 5’8” forward has 5 goals and 2 assists including a snipe in front of the net at 4:52 of the second period for the first goal of the game.
Three Straight for Zach
The lone Pens goal came from Zach Aston-Reese. His third goal in three games this season. In his best season, the forward had 8 goals in 43 games in 2018-19. Only once before did the undrafted 26-year-old have goals in back-to-back games and that was in February of 2018.
“I’m not surprised,” Sullivan said. “Zach is a good player. He’s a smart, conscientious, 200-foot player. He has the ability to score goals. He’s scored goals at every level with the exception of the NHL.”
“I changed a few off-ice habits,” Aston-Reese said. “Added some different things to my training and taking care of my body. A bunch of little things but they all add up. I think its starting to show now.”
Pettersson returns
Lefty-shot defenseman Marcus Pettersson returned for his first game since January 19 (also against Washington). The 24-year-old injured on a hit from TJ Oshie and returned to full practice on Monday.
Pettersson paired with Cody Ceci with Mike Matheson with John Marino and PO Joseph with Kris Letang. Which means for the first time in weeks, the Pens were able to match up lefty and righty shots on all three pairings.
Up Next
Thursday night and a first home game against the Islanders this year at 7p. Pens are 1-1 against New York this season, winning in overtime last Thursday.