The Penguins did something they haven’t done in awhile while enduring what seems to be a common theme all season.
Pittsburgh lost for just the second time in December and the first time in eight games Monday night to the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Center. Ottawa took a 2-0 lead into the final frame then dominated the third period with three more goals en route to a 5-0 victory.
But the worst news for Pittsburgh occurred early in the game when Pascal Dupuis left the game with a right knee injury. Sidney Crosby was hip checked in the middle of the offensive zone and landed on Dupuis’s leg. Dupuis remained on the ice for several minutes before being helped off by two teammates. He is going back to Pittsburgh for further evaluation.
From there, the Penguins never recovered. Zack Smith scored on a backhanded shot off a rebound to give the Senators a 1-0 lead.
In the second period, goaltender Craig Anderson was the difference maker in keeping the Pens off the board despite having four power plays. He stopped James Neal, Chris Kunitz, and Brandon Sutter, all of whom had breakaways. Sutter stole the puck while the Penguins were shorthanded and out skated Erik Karlsson to the net. Sutter’s wrist shot looked good but Anderson nailed the puck with his glove.
Just seconds later, Bobby Ryan tipped in a shot by Chris Phillips to extend Ottawa’s lead to 2-0.
If there was any thought of a comeback by the Penguins, that idea was instantly forgotten just 1:36 into the third period. Erik Karlsson took the puck at center ice, made a sharp move to get past Olli Maatta, then beat Marc-Andre Fleury with a perfect wrist shot over the goaltender’s left shoulder for his tenth goal.
Kyle Turris and Cory Conacher scored less than two minutes apart to turn the lights out on the Penguins and their seven game win streak.
- Pittsburgh was 0-7 on the power play while Ottawa went 1-3.
- The Penguins were shutout for just the second time this season; the first coming on Oct 21st against Colorado.
- Crosby snapped his ten game point streak.
Three Stars
- Erik Karlsson
- Craig Anderson
- Chris Neil
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
