The Penguins’ loss to the Senators exposed a deeper concern

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Daniel Lucente
February 3, 2026 (10:31)

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Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Sidney Crosby’s slump hurt, and the Pittsburgh Penguins’ depth could not save a 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

Josh Yohe nailed the vibe, deep team or not, when the stars drag, the night usually dies.

That Senators game felt winnable early, then Pittsburgh’s details slipped and the finish line moved.

The scary part was not one bad bounce, it was the top end looking a half-step late.

Dave Molinari pointed right at it, Crosby has one assist in his last four games and his timing looks off.

Here’s the Yohe post that kicked this conversation off.

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And here’s the Molinari post asking if Tuesday’s opponent can reset Crosby’s game.

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Crosby still drives the bus, with 27-31-58 on the season, but the last few shifts have looked like forced hockey.

When his touches get messy, the whole top-six starts to chase instead of dictate.

Honestly, Penguins fans can handle a loss, but watching Crosby look human for four straight games makes the room feel tense.

Tuesday brings the New York Islanders, a team that turns games into board battles and rebound scrums.

If Crosby wants the "elixir," it usually starts with simpler routes, hard stops, and pucks to the middle, not extra stickhandles at the blue line.

This is where depth still matters, because the third and fourth lines can keep shifts alive and tilt the ice.

But the headline remains the same, Pittsburgh goes as Crosby goes.

The Penguins do not need perfection, they need their best player to look synced again, one clean period at a time.

Previously on HockeyUnplugged

POLL
FEVRIER 3\|96 ANSWERS The Penguins’ loss to the Senators exposed a deeper concern Can Sidney Crosby end the slump against the New York Islanders?
Yes	74	77.1 %
No	22	22.9 %
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