Pens show effort in the third...at least for half of it, still lose to Toronto 5-4

Frank's out on the town for his lovely gal's birthday so he asked that I do the post-game show, but let me know that I didn't have to hurt myself in the writing.  With the depression I'm feeling right now, I think I'm going to keep it short and sweet.

The Penguins should not have lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs.  No ifs, ands, or buts about it.  A Penguins team that came out of the All Star Break with their eyes on the prize should not lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Yes, they lost to the Devils last night, but New Jersey is red-hot and the Penguins still got a point out of the game.  What did they get out of this game?  Shattered momentum and solidly sitting out of playoff contention.  Are they out for good?  Of course not...but results like this doesn't give room to much optimism.

Coming out of the first period tied, the Pens let it slide in the second, giving up two goals to head into the third.  Crosby finally answered back just 0:55 into the period, and after another Leaf goal, Malkin and Kennedy both scored almost within a minute of each other to tie it up at 4.  That was the end of the offensive rally, and a goal by Jason Blake (his seventh goal in as many games) that left Garon looking silly put the nail in the coffin for the Penguins.

Perhaps it was nature balancing things out as Miroslav Satan scored a goal.  Perhaps Crosby and Malkin were both satisfied after notching a goal and assist each.  Perhaps the defensemen felt that the goalie good take care of things on his own.  Whatever it was, the Penguins need to fix it before they get to Montreal on Tuesday.  More games like the Rangers game.  Less close games against inferior teams.

And since this is Frank's show, and I'm simply the substitute, let's play it his way.

THE GOOD: The Pens didn't outshoot Toronto, but they didn't get their usual thwomping either.  Both teams had 26 shots.

THE BAD: The PP - but I didn't really need to tell you this, did I?

THE UGLY: Satan getting more ice time than Petr Sykora.  WTF, man?

There was a fight starring Tyler Kennedy, but that can wait until tomorrow.