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Penguins learn a key lesson while earning two points against the Lightning
Photo credit: Edit from PensBurgh
The Penguins walked away from Tampa with a vital two points, but they also learned a key lesson from that game that they can implement going forward.
There was plenty to like about the Penguins' 4-3 victory over Tampa. Tristan Jarry stifled one of the best offences in the NHL for close to two periods, the power play got the equalising goals against the best PK in the league, and Evgeni Malkin scored the winner late in the third after the Lightning overcame a 3-0 deficit.
Yet the nervous energy could also be felt by Dan Muse and his team. The Penguins found themselves relying on Jarry to save the game against 15 first-period shots on goal by Tampa Bay.
What the Penguins did again for the third time since November
They saw another 3-0 lead evaporate, marking the third time it has happened since early November. Meanwhile, veterans Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin took penalties to start the third period.
What did matter, though, was what happened next. Rather than enjoying an on-the-road victory against a team which had won seven of its last eight, the Penguins zeroed in on the areas which require improvement.
Taking lessons away from a victory is much easier than doing so after a loss, and certainly, lessons were to be learned.
"Points are hard to come by, so you take the points," Muse said. "But I think you also have to be honest about things that we need to clean up."
"We can't be killing that much," Muse said. "That's two games in a row now. That's something we need to limit, how many times we're going over the boards to kill penalties."
"There are some things that came up tonight that we need to work on," Muse said. "Maybe it's even more apparent after playing a team like that."
"We can't be killing that much," Muse said. "That's two games in a row now. That's something we need to limit, how many times we're going over the boards to kill penalties."
"There are some things that came up tonight that we need to work on," Muse said. "Maybe it's even more apparent after playing a team like that."
Why the Penguins escaped with a victory
They made it to the first intermission leading thanks to Jarry and to the goal by Ville Koivunen, who scored his first in the league. The Penguins adjusted to prevent Tampa Bay's rush, but it took the Lightning until their 24th shot to score.
Hagel tied the game with his goals late in the third, but Malkin scored again to take the lead.
A hand pass negated a late Tampa goal, giving the Penguins two hard-earned points. They will take it, but clearly, they understand there is a lot of work left to be done.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 5 | 61 ANSWERS Penguins learn a key lesson while earning two points against the Lightning Did the Penguins deserve to win last night's game? | ||
| Yes | 54 | 88.5 % |
| No | 7 | 11.5 % |
| List of polls | ||