The Pittsburgh Penguins (22-24-9) wrapped up their home stand before the 4 Nations Face-off break, dropping a thrilling contest to the New Jersey Devils in a seven-round shootout 3-2.
The loss drops the Penguins to 3-8-3 against Metro Division opponents, one of the main reasons why the club is second to last within the division, just one point ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers, their opponent on Saturday.
However, before a showdown in the City of Brotherly Love, Pittsburgh will play the New York Rangers in the Big Apple on Friday night.
Let’s discuss their latest setback.
Shootout Woes Continue
Tuesday night marked the sixth time the Penguins went to a shootout. After losing to the Devils, they are now 1-5. They have six goals in 25 attempts, which equals a shooting percentage of 24%.
Alex Nedeljkovic following tonight’s 3-2 shootout loss:
“The guys are doing an unbelievable job of putting the puck in the net. I think I had two chances to shut ‘em down tonight and win. I’m just not getting the job done right now in that span.” pic.twitter.com/9syweC90ad
— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) February 5, 2025
Meanwhile, opponents continue to succeed against Alex Nedeljkovic and Tristan Jarry. The duo has given up 13 goals on 28 shots, leaving them with a .452 Sv%.
Despite going seven rounds with a top team in the Metro Division, the Penguins can’t find a save when they need it most.
Penguins Lose First Contest Without Malkin
Evgeni Malkin got hurt in the first period of the Penguins’ game against the San Jose Sharks. Even though they lost that night to the NHL’s 32nd-ranked team, Pittsburgh bounced back with an overtime win over the Utah Hockey Club and then shut out the Nashville Predators.
“I thought we played hard against a real good team. … There’s a lot to like about our game. It’s unfortunate we didn’t get the two points, but it’s a hard-fought one point that’s for sure.”
Head Coach Mike Sullivan reflects on tonight’s loss pic.twitter.com/9mLVzV9p1d
— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) February 5, 2025
Earlier in the campaign, Malkin missed four games, and the Penguins went 1-2-1 in his absence. Before the loss to the Devils on Tuesday, the club was 2-0-0 during his second stint on the IR and is now 2-0-1.
Without Malkin, Pittsburgh is now 2-2-2 in six games. Considering the 38-year-old likely won’t play before the 4 Nations Face-off break, the Penguins have two crucial matchups left against the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.
Metro Division Opponents Destroying Penguins Season
The Penguins dropped another contest to a Metro Division rival. Their record within the division is now 3-7-4, and after a Philadelphia Flyers overtime loss, Pittsburgh is tied for last place in the Metro.
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Next, the Penguins play another divisional heavyweight, the New York Rangers, against whom they are 0-2-0. They then play the Flyers on the second night of a back-to-back.
Pittsburgh may have ten points against its rivals, but it has given up 14, which is one of the main reasons why it has just 53, the exact total as Philadelphia. Moreover, it is only four points ahead of the Buffalo Sabres, the bottom team in the Eastern Conference.
Unfortunately, it appears the Penguins have a mental block against Metro opponents this season. Their upcoming schedule won’t do them any favors, so many of these losses are hard to digest.
