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Penguins fail to find offense in Canada as NHL insider examines what's ahead
Photo credit: Edit from PensBurgh
The Penguins did not manage to score a single goal on their road swing in Canada, getting shut out by identical 4-0 scores, as Josh Yohe reveals what's next.
There was the sellout crowd, of course, at the Bell Centre, and the buzz that always comes with it, thanks to the way in which the Montreal Canadiens appear to be going in the right direction.
It was another long night for the Pittsburgh Penguins. When it was over, Sidney Crosby sat in the locker room, silently, the burden of yet another loss weighing on a team that just seems to be standing in its own way.
What the Penguins did two nights earlier in Ottawa
Two nights earlier, the Penguins were shut out 4-0 in Ottawa. It would be eight consecutive losses for the team when they face a return match from the Canadiens in Pittsburgh on Sunday night, following their loss in Montreal.
Crosby's statistics show how frustrated he is. He has now been shut out of the scoresheet in three out of his last four games and trails Mario Lemieux by just one point in the all-time point leaders in Penguins history.
Lemieux is supposed to come to PPG Paints Arena on Sunday, and even a historical moment at home feels like an urgent boost at this point.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner is 0-2 since arriving in Pittsburgh and is trying to find his legs among a team that lacks structure and confidence.
Why the Penguins could lose 10 in a row according to NHL insider Josh Yohe
Josh Yohe, an insider for the NHL and Penguins, predicts that Pittsburgh is in a bad spot as they might be facing the potential for 10 consecutive losses before the holiday break, with tough games looming on their horizon that include a return visit to Toronto, a team they're thus far 0-2 this season under the leadership of head coach Dan Muse.
Yohe also spoke about the power play situation, questioning the role of Anthony Mantha on the top line and thinking that Ben Kindel could contribute more there instead.
The immediate concern will be the approaching trade deadline. GM Kyle Dubas will allow this team the opportunity to turn the situation around, but teams have a tendency to come apart quickly once the wheels start falling off.
"Right now, the Penguins heading down a dark path. If they don't right the ship quickly, we won't be talking about their performances in games, but rather, we'll be talking about which veterans are on the trade block before the NHL trade deadline.
If the Penguins want to remain intact, I have no doubt Kyle Dubas will give them that opportunity. But this losing streak needs to stop immediately. Otherwise, I don't think Dubas will have much choice."
- Josh Yohe
If the Penguins want to remain intact, I have no doubt Kyle Dubas will give them that opportunity. But this losing streak needs to stop immediately. Otherwise, I don't think Dubas will have much choice."
- Josh Yohe
This is what may be currently transpiring, according to Yohe.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 21 | 63 ANSWERS Penguins fail to find offense in Canada as NHL insider examines what's ahead Should the Penguins officially be sellers after this month of December? | ||
| Yes | 42 | 66.7 % |
| No | 21 | 33.3 % |
| List of polls | ||