In a division game similar to their season opener against the Rangers, the Penguins had another memorable night as they lost 4-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night, with the Hurricanes dominating every aspect of the game and nearly taking control.
Hurricanes' Dominance on Full Display
The Penguins struggled to keep up with the Hurricanes, as Carolina was outshot 26-of-39 on target and had a 30-of-46 chance percentage, according to Natural Stat Trick. The Hurricanes were effective in the neutral zone and pushed the Penguins to the perimeter whenever they tried to go on the offensive.
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Goaltender Joel Blomqvist gave the Penguins great opportunities early on, stopping 35 of 39 shots, but the Hurricanes' overwhelming pressure ultimately proved too much. Despite Blomqvist's efforts, the Penguins were unable to take control of the game.
Head coach Mike Sullivan summed up the night succinctly: "When you let them, you're playing in your own half. Tonight we played in our own half."
Key Observations from the Loss
Blomqvist's Performance:
Despite the 4-1 result, Joel Blomqvist delivered a commendable performance. The Hurricanes applied relentless pressure early on and had more shots on goal than the Penguins (10-3) in the first period. Blomqvist kept the game close, going into the second period tied at 1-1. The only goal he might regret is the fourth, but the game was already out of reach at that point.
Difficult Power Play:
Pittsburgh's power play remains a major issue. Their 0-5 record has left them looking disjointed and stagnant, reminiscent of last season's issues. The team has shown signs of indecision, slow puck movement and a lack of urgency, and has failed to build on the quick, efficient passing they showed in the preseason. The Penguins need to address these issues before they become irreversible.
Clinical Play by the Hurricanes:
Hurricanes played a stifling defensive game, limiting the Penguins' ability to create chances. Carolina's play in the neutral zone was flawless, putting their stick on the puck and covering one-on-one to stifle Pittsburgh's offensive flow. Their defensive mentality makes them a formidable team in the regular season, but it may be the reason they struggled in the postseason. Despite this, they executed their game plan perfectly against the Penguins.
Lack of Offensive Energy Up Front:
Penguins' front line underperformed, with left wingers Anthony Beauvillier and Michael Bunting struggling to break through. Drew O'Connor, who scored Pittsburgh's lone goal in the first half, replaced Bunting in the second half. With a road trip looming, it may be time for the coaching staff to experiment with their top six forwards and give players like Valtteri Puustinen and Jesse Puljujarvi An opportunity to inject some vigor into the lineup.
Defense Displaying Potential
Despite the offensive shortcomings of the Penguins, Ryan Graves excelled at the blue line. Alongside partner Jack St. Ivany, Graves demonstrated consistency in sheltered minutes while playing a good defensive game. In the early going of the season, Graves has been one of Pittsburgh's stronger players, and with greater assurance and regularity, his play could only get better.
Sullivan's annoyance is apparent
Mike Sullivan was clearly frustrated after the game. His news conference was quick, as he gave repeated one-word responses while obviously struggling with the team's subpar play.
Future Driving Difficulties
The Winnipeg Jets, one of the league's top defensive teams, will be the first opponent the Penguins will face during their difficult upcoming stretch. They will play four games in Western Canada starting with this one, where they will also play Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary.
Ryan Graves remarked, "It is a long year," as he considered the difficulties that lay ahead. We are unable to linger on some topics. We will grow from it and carry on. At the end of the season, you want to be performing at your peak and secure a postseason spot. We are only able to work toward daily improvement."
To prevent going into a deeper rut, the Penguins will need to get back together quickly. To get back on track, Pittsburgh needs to exert more effort and concentration against the Jets on Sunday.
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