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Dan Muse issues challenge to Penguins players amid ongoing struggles
Penguins head coach Dan Muse wasn't happy after yet another loss vs. the Kraken, and he issued a challenge to his team: he wants to make the playoffs.
The Pittsburgh Penguins had a far better effort Saturday at PPG Paints Arena than in their disastrous effort the night before. But the most significant moment came after the 3-2 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken, and it came from head coach Dan Muse.
What Dan Muse did after yet another loss
The normally calm and complimentary Muse has shown rare flashes of anger this weekend. Following Friday's 5-0 loss to Minnesota, he lit into his group. After falling to Seattle, he doubled down, delivering his most pointed message of the season.
"Our game was better," said Muse.
"But we just came out of this weekend here with 1 out of 4 points," he said. "And that's not good enough. Was our process better? It was. But we need to get points. We had an opportunity to do so. It's a fine line. But those little details, those little things that can make a difference here. Finding a way to get another (scoring) opportunity. Finding a way to take away one of theirs. I'm not going to sit here and say that that's good enough. It's not. We're past that. We need points right now. The game was no good yesterday. It was much better today. But if you go through this month, it's been too many games where we said there were positives to take from. I liked our game more. I thought we did a lot of things that we need to do on a consistent basis. I thought we did a lot of things that are going to lead to success. But 1 out of 4 points is not enough."
"But we just came out of this weekend here with 1 out of 4 points," he said. "And that's not good enough. Was our process better? It was. But we need to get points. We had an opportunity to do so. It's a fine line. But those little details, those little things that can make a difference here. Finding a way to get another (scoring) opportunity. Finding a way to take away one of theirs. I'm not going to sit here and say that that's good enough. It's not. We're past that. We need points right now. The game was no good yesterday. It was much better today. But if you go through this month, it's been too many games where we said there were positives to take from. I liked our game more. I thought we did a lot of things that we need to do on a consistent basis. I thought we did a lot of things that are going to lead to success. But 1 out of 4 points is not enough."
It wasn't subtle, and it wasn't just for the players. Fans heard it too. Muse knows expectations were low coming into the year, but he's tired of moral victories and tired of "good September" talk. And he's certainly not interested in any notion of tanking.
His stance was direct, and he issued a challenge to his players: this team should make the playoffs. This team needs to make the playoffs. And going 0-5 in overtime through 21 games is a recipe for missing them.
"Muse's message was loud and clear: He wants this team to make the playoffs, he thinks this team should make the playoffs."
- Josh Yohe
- Josh Yohe
Why November has not been a good month for the Penguins
November's been rough, 2-4-3 so far, with blown leads defining their struggles. The Penguins controlled overtime against Seattle, generating chance after chance. Kris Letang hit a post. Erik Karlsson nearly ended it.
They had the puck for most of OT, yet Brandon Montour finished it for the Kraken. Muse didn't need theatrics. His conviction said enough.
If the Penguins can right themselves, starting Wednesday against Buffalo, this post-game moment will be remembered.
The raw, honest frustration from Muse made one thing clear: he thinks this team is better than its record. Whether he's right will play out from here.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 23 | 68 ANSWERS Dan Muse issues challenge to Penguins players amid ongoing struggles Will the Penguins make the playoffs and satisfy Dan Muse's challenge? | ||
| Yes | 48 | 70.6 % |
| No | 20 | 29.4 % |
| List of polls | ||