With a 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins are now mired in the longest losing streak of the season – and Mike Johnston’s career – as they have now lost four straight games.
For the second consecutive game, the Penguins came out ahead on the shot chart, with the Pens outshooting the Stars 31-26, including a 14-4 advantage in the third period.
With the Penguins missing their top two goal scorers – center Evgeni Malkin and winger Patric Hornqvist – due to injury, they’ve struggled to score as of late, with only two goals over the past four games. When the Penguins forwards were able to break free, Dallas netminder Kari Lehtonen was up to the task, making 30 saves.
After a scoreless first period, a pair of Penguins miscues in the second period conspired to spot the Stars a 2-0 lead.
At 2:14 of the middle frame, Brett Richie’s centering pass was deflected right through Marc-Andre Fleury’s five-hole – by the stick of back-checking Penguins winger Beau Bennett. Jamie Benn and John Klingberg assisted on the play.
Just 1:23 later, Rob Scuderi left the front of the net to assist his teammates in the right-wing corner. The only problem was that he left Jamie Benn, the Stars’ leading scorer, alone in front. Tyler Seguin found Benn all alone at the top of the Penguins’ crease. Fleury was able to stop his initial shot, but Benn got his own rebound and pushed it into the Penguins net with a diving effort.
After handing the Stars an undeserved lead, the Penguins did everything they could do win it back. The Pens outshot the Stars 24-12 the rest of the way, and at 13:26 of the second period, they finally put one past Lehtonen.
Kris Letang took a cross-ice pass from Sidney Crosby and quickly shot it through traffic to bring the Penguins to within one, but that was as close as they would come. Letang led all Penguins with 25:51 of ice time and six shots despite spending 6:00 in the penalty box on a pair of roughing minors and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Letang’s lack of composure was a storyline on a night where he was recognized for his perseverance. He was named the Penguins’ Masterton Trophy nominee, as voted upon by the Pro Hockey Writers of America’s Pittsburgh Chapter.
The Masterton Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.” The winner is voted upon by all of the PHWA members after the regular season.
Meanwhile, the Penguins injury woes, a season-long issue, continued, as Steve Downie left the game late in third period after being sandwiched in between two Stars players. He did not return to the game and no update on his condition was immediately available.
Photo credit: NHL
