PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pens lose to the Rangers for the first time this year as New York scored a pair in the third to win 3-1 at Madison Square Garden and the Pens are now off until Saturday. Here are some takeaways from Monday night's loss.
Extra man
Can't be referred to as the power play in Pittsburgh as the Pens were 0 for 6 Monday night.
"Special teams was the difference in the game tonight for sure," said forward Jason Zucker. "I think we are going to look at the guys on each side of us and make sure they are holding each other accountable and trying to learn and keep getting better. We are still early in the season, but we need to fix it."
"We've talked about just simplifying the game," said head coach Mike Sullivan. "Trying to shoot the puck more and creating offense off of that shot. It looks like we are looking for a better play that is not there."
"We've got to do a better job of just putting pucks at the net and creating offense that way."
Pens are now 5 of 36 or 13% with an extra man this year. Meanwhile, Toronto is at 43% and Washington at 40%.
"Staring at the first unit from the bench, it's easy to say we need to shoot the puck more," Zucker said. "Teams make changes. They try to get us off our game and make us make adjustments. It's definitely a work in progress. We aren't happy with it."
The Pens are at .500 with a horrible power play. Where would they be if just average with an extra man?
Pens goalie question
Casey DeSmith (3-1, .882%, 2.86 GAA) gave up two goals on 23 shots as the final tally was with a second to go on an empty net. DeSmith had won three straight games, but gave up 11 goals.
"I think we simplified," DeSmith said of the better defensive performance as a group Monday. "Not many catastrophic breakdowns. We protected the slot really well, for the most part tying up sticks and keeping them to the outside. If we can keep doing that, we will limit the goals against; figure out some stuff on offense and put both of them together."
If Tristan Jarry (2-3, .859%, 3.92 GAA), doesn't start Saturday, it will mean Jarry would be at least 12 days in-between starts.
Crosby tries 'Michigan Goal'
He had yet to try it in a game until Monday night. Sidney Crosby picked up a puck with his stick behind the net and tried to carry it into the top corner. The move recognized and denied by Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin.
University of Michigan forward Mike Legg made it famous with a regulation goal in March of 1996 against Minnesota.
Up Next
Pens are off until Saturday due to the New Jersey Devils having four additional positive tests for COVID-19. Now 10 in the organization have tested positive. The Devils next four games postponed with the plan to make it up later in the season.
"It's something we had to expect coming into the season," Zucker said. "Obviously we don't want to miss games but we had to expect it. We are putting our trust in the league and the infectious disease team and doctors. They are doing a great job so far."
The timing is good for the Pens who were to stay in New York Monday night due to a snowstorm and then return Tuesday to host the Devils.
Pens will not play again until Saturday at the Islanders. They won't play at home until Valentine's Day against the Caps.
