Losing Streak Extends to Five with Loss to Ottawa

by FrankD on Jan 11, 2012 12:13 AM EST in Game Recaps

This is getting bad. Not "write off the season, we're done" sort of bad, but still pretty bad. Normally in these situations there is an up-and-coming minor leaguer that Ray Shero keeps a "break in case of emergency" label on, but sadly the WBS squad is all tapped out. Eric Tangradi would in all likelihood be that guy, and we've already seen what he's been able to contribute over the past few seasons.

Pittsburgh's 5-1 loss to Ottawa Tuesday night marks the team's fifth straight loss - the longest of the season - and drops them into fourth place in the Atlantic Division.

Admittedly the one good thing to come of this whole situation is the fact that Pittsburgh fans, by nature, are smart enough to pinpoint what the problem is. By that I mean, it's pretty obvious injuries are absolutely destroying this team right now and thankfully a guy like Dan Bylsma is not seen as a reason for the drought. In a way you have to applaud him for still managing to put together a decent squad night in and night out given the depleted staff he has to work with.

With that said, the Penguins' biggest issue is on defense. They're not allowing all that many shots but the shots sure are finding their way through and past Marc-Andre Fleury. Or Brent Johnson. Or, in tonight's case, both.

Kudos to James Neal for putting in a valiant effort. The other day reports suggested he would be out "weeks" with an apparent foot injury, but it didn't stop him from lacing up his skates and giving it a go. Almost lost in all this "woe is me" flow of play as of late is Evgeni Malkin, who has scored two goals over the last two games and remains in the hunt for the league's scoring title with 45 points.

Things don't get much better for the Penguins as they prepare to take on the Capitals Wednesday night. Verizon Center has been a notoriously tough place for the Pens to play and this meeting couldn't come at a worse time. Or, perhaps, it couldn't come at a better time. Beating a team like the Capitals, no matter how much they've struggled this season, could help light a spark under this mangled, disjointed group of players sporting the black and gold.

In years past we've always said .500 hockey is all you can pray for when the injuries start to rack up. At this point, that's sadly all we can hang our hats on if we want to see postseason hockey.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Thank you

Thanks for not running around in circles, tearing your hair out like so many people I’ve heard this evening. I agree that things are getting bad, but certainly not yet as bad as they could be (I feel as though I tempt fate by saying that). I stopped trying to microanalyze this team a few weeks ago. I think the only thing a good fan can do at this point is buckle in for the wild, bumpy ride between here and the end of the season.

by Leah B on Jan 11, 2012 1:14 AM EST reply actions

Agree with your honest analysis of the game. The goalies (one of them anyway) needs to come up with a big performance and “steal” a game, to get back in the winning track. The team looks bad right now, they need a win. No mater how Stagy and Bob Errey were trying to build up Tangredi with “attempted shots” he is still the same slow unimpressive big guy. Not that I blame him for the loss. But this is the “perfect” situation for him to come up and get lots of ice time (deserved or not). So fa he is still unimpressive.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Jan 11, 2012 6:40 AM EST reply actions

I agree with Leah B—thank you for not losing your mind. It’s getting tempting, and Twitter melted down. Thank you too for noting that Malkin put in a good effort. I think the goalies, both Fleury and Johnson, were solid late last season and early this season, but are beginning to get as discouraged as the rest of the team.

I’m a bit worried about James Neal on that bruised foot. Dan Boyle played on a broken foot for the Sharks early this season, but not well. I also hope Despres is okay. (He’s impressed me.)

I was reminded last night that my favorite NASCAR driver, Tony Stewart, had a discouraging year and managed to win the 2011 Sprint Cup championship. So I wrote a series of tweets about it for my fellow discouraged Penguins fans. I bundled them into a Chirpstory, should anyone care to read it.

"This would have been a goal if it went in."--Paul Steigerwald, 2/10/11

Cocktails with the Penguins

On Twitter like everyone else.

by GreenEyedLilo on Jan 11, 2012 9:03 AM EST reply actions

Let's grind these bitches down!

by lostprophetRJX on Jan 11, 2012 9:57 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Just noticed—your departed friend Elmo rocked the red! At least it wasn’t a penguin stuffie or pillow pet that kicked the bucket.

"This would have been a goal if it went in."--Paul Steigerwald, 2/10/11

Cocktails with the Penguins

On Twitter like everyone else.

by GreenEyedLilo on Jan 11, 2012 10:18 AM EST up reply actions

Perhaps a sign of good things to come tonight!

Let's grind these bitches down!

by lostprophetRJX on Jan 11, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

Admittedly the one good thing to come of this whole situation is the fact that Pittsburgh fans, by nature, are smart enough to pinpoint what the problem is. By that I mean, it’s pretty obvious injuries are absolutely destroying this team right now and thankfully a guy like Dan Bylsma is not seen as a reason for the drought. In a way you have to applaud him for still managing to put together a decent squad night in and night out given the depleted staff he has to work with.

In fact, in the pregame show yesterday, Steve Mears picked Bylsma as his halfway point Adams winner. I don’t know if I’d go that far, but even the media (who thrive on drama because controversy drives ratings) is keeping their heads on straight.

With any luck, the injuries will die down and people will get healthy in time for the playoffs. With luck.

PensBurgh
Follow me on Twitter if you feel like being bored. Also, Facebook.

by JustinM on Jan 11, 2012 11:04 AM EST reply actions

Lets not forget our team PDO is way low, which means we’re due for a long a consistent upswing in luck the remainder of the season. No reason to panic, especially because we’re still kicking ass at possession.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Jan 11, 2012 2:25 PM EST up reply actions