The Pittsburgh Penguins (20-22-8) continue to waste opportunities to win games and move up in the wildcard race, this time losing 5-1 to the 28th-ranked Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.
Pittsburgh’s latest loss drops them to 2-2-0 on a crucial seven-game road trip. They hit the ice again on Saturday to play the Seattle Kraken, who doubled up the Penguins ten days ago at PPG Paints Arena.
Before thinking ahead, we must look at their latest setback at the Honda Center.
Unfortunately, the Penguins Ran Into a Hot Goalie
John Gibson has been on the trade bait board for most of the decade but continues to run the crease in Anaheim, recently picking up his 200th NHL win.
On Thursday, the 31-year-old played like he was 21 again, stonewalling the Penguins at every turn, finishing the evening with 31 saves.
Backed by the strong play of their goalie, Anaheim played with confidence at the other end, scoring five goals for the sixth time this year.
Ultimately, it was a bad mix for the visitors, who couldn’t get on the scoreboard outside of a powerplay goal by Michael Bunting.
Penguins Can’t Keep Puck Out of Their Net
Thursday’s game marked the 13th time the Penguins had surrendered at least five goals in a contest. Statistically, that figure accounts for 26% of their season and is one of the main reasons they continue to league the NHL in goals against.
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Since Jan. 1, Pittsburgh is now 3-5-3 with a goal differential of minus-11, giving up 40 and scoring 29. Moreover, in the past 11 games, their goalies have given up at least four goals on seven occasions.
Despite a red-hot power play and a middle-of-the-pack offensive attack, the Penguins continue to lose points and ground in the standings for their inability to shut down teams and hold them to three or fewer goals.
This Road Trip Could End Penguins Season
In their previous meeting, the Penguins barely escaped the Ducks, defeating them in overtime 2-1. On Thursday, they were embarrassed on the scoreboard.
Next up is the Seattle Kraken, who just defeated them 4-2 less than two weeks ago. Most fans would think this trip gets easier with a visit to the 32nd-ranked San Jose Sharks on Monday.
Related: Penguins’ Crosby On Pace For Uncharacteristic Statistic
However, in their previous meeting, the Penguins needed a shootout to defeat the NHL’s worst team. Finally, the trip ends in Salt Lake City, where they look to avenge a 6-1 loss to the Utah Hockey Club in November.
Ultimately, the Penguins continue to play well one night and then put together a stinker in the next game. This trend has to end in Anaheim, or it will be a long flight home.
They are now only three points out of the basement of the Metropolitan Division and only seven out of the last place in the Eastern Conference.
Teams around them continue to win, and the distance from the second wildcard spot is now at five points, equal to three wins, something Pittsburgh can’t seem to achieve in a row.
