Pens Can't Score, Can't Win. Fall To Capitals 1-0

by Stephen Catanese on Jan 11, 2012 11:19 PM EST in Game Recaps

We're drifting into uncharted territory now.

Jason Chimera's first-period goal was all the offense the Washington Capitals needed, as they defeated the Penguins 1-0 in front of 18,505 fans and one Hooks Orpik at the Verizon Center Wednesday night.

The loss was the Penguins' sixth in a row, the longest losing streak in coach Dan Byslma's tenure, and the first time they were shut out since March 25, 2011. At least they managed to win that game.

The worst part of what amounted to an overall solid defensive effort was how completely awful the lone goal surrendered actually was.

Evgeni Malkin carries the puck into the Capitals zone, diagonally gliding towards the left wing. He enters some traffic, with Pascal Dupuis and James Neal not too far off, awaiting some sort of act of distribution from the Russian. Chip, pass, dump. Whatever. Paul Martin optimistically enters the zone down the right.

The three players nearest Malkin are facing him directly from three distinct angles. Problematically, none are Penguins. The puck is easily poke checked by Joel Ward into the neutral zone. Turnover. The odd-man rush is on, with only Zbynek Michalek back.

Instead of gliding into position to defend the 3-on-1, he commits to a race for the puck with Jeff Halpern. A race he is not capable of winning. Halpern gets there first and chips a simple pass to the onrushing Chimera who slots it past Marc-Andre Fleury.

Game over.

There was some good news.

Dustin Jeffrey played. He didn't get injured. He almost scored late. Didn't. Alas.

Dupuis almost got injured, but didn't. I think. Malkin disappeared for a little bit, but wasn't hurt. I think.

Sidney Crosby was in the building. He chilled in the press box, but at least he was there. He's still hurt. I think.

Bright spots, gotta find the bright spots.

Like, at least this isn't 2003-04, when the Penguins lost 18 games in a row. That couldn't possibly ever happen again.

Right?

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A lot of people are thinking back to past seasons, where we had lengthy losing streaks, and the team sucked. And yes, those were low times. But personally, this feels worse, because back then, we didn’t have a core of young players in their prime growing together. Right now, we can’t stay healthy and are missing 3 of our 5 best players. I remember the years before the lock-out. But, look at those rosters. Not exactly the same as now. Ditto for Crosby’s rookie season.

Do I think a 100% healthy team could win the Cup this year? Maybe. But right now, the Pens are in a really bad spot. It’s hard to shake things up with so many key players out. It’s hard to add good talent because we may have big contracts coming off IR soon (hopefully)

I’ve been a fan since 1989 and I don’t intend to give up now. And also am not intending to be negative. It’s just that what’s happening right now stings much more than crappy teams looking to get a high draft pick. We aren’t a crappy team. We aren’t champs until we earn it of course, but I don’t believe we are a 9th place team. We just have bad luck and I don’t blame the guys in the room for being down, I know they’re pros but they’re still human and what’s happened the past couple years has certainly taken it’s toll.

I believe in this team 100%, but it’s tough to be missing the kind of players we are right now. And there’s nothing we can do about it. Just gotta wait it out, and pray that this terrible stretch of injuries won’t continue. Things have a way of balancing out. Gotta hope for the best. And, though I didn’t get to see much of the game tonight I heard there was more effort.

Sorry for the long post, just my humble thoughts. Go Pens.

Twitter @marcy8771

by GoPenguins on Jan 11, 2012 11:34 PM EST reply actions

Keep the Faith

It’s a long season, and yes it is frustrating so many good core players have been shelved so often and for so long, When (and if) Sid comes back you have to hold your breath he doesn’t get injured again, Not a fun or relaxing way to watch the game.
Look I’m pretty down about these guys right now too; 0-6-0 with 6 goals scored all against Eastern Conference teams. It totally sucks.
I do remember being even more down about them after their loss to Washington in early 2009 on NBC with Ovechicken flapping his wings at Sid. That team had no injury issues they just were majorly underachieving. 59 points in 57 games and solidly 10th. Right now they’ve got 46 points in 42 games and are in what? Tie for 8th? again it sucks.
I sure hope the same move isn’t made in the coaching ranks as happened last time but I sure wouldn’t mind a resurgence similar to that one either..
Keep the faith, these guys will find their game again soon. Go Pens Go!

by Dutch71 on Jan 11, 2012 11:53 PM EST reply actions

My Thoughts....

Injuries are a part of the game, we hear that a lot these days. But what excuse can we give for Coach DB’s system breaking down and in total shambles. The Pens are beginning to look like a pond hockey team. Skating around, most of the time out of position. Fleury saved their butts tonight, the score should have been worse. There was no help in front of him. The Pens created a few chances late in the 3rd out of desperation. Ahhh, that word….are the Pens not desperate enough to play 60 minute of inspired hockey. Are the Pens too soft that they can’t give whats expected of them in front of the opponents net ,although we did see a flash of that in the waning moments of tonight’s game. These players need a lightning bolt up there arse and that must come very soon from DB and Shero in some form or two.

by MDhunter on Jan 11, 2012 11:56 PM EST reply actions

If anyone was out of position it was Fleury… He miss handled numerous pucks and left the net open several times and being saved only by luck. If anything the defense looked much better this game than any of the previous losses. I’m not sure if it has too do with Orpik stepping up or the return of Martin.

The problem Is the Pens can’t score. 6 goals in 6 games… Penguins aren’t scoring or if they are it’s only Malkin doing it.

We need at least 2 scoring lines… With Staal/Crosby down we aren’t much of an offensive threat.

Missing a lot of pieces like a net front pressence. No traffic just one and done chances.

We need a Ryan Malone type of player… It used to be Guerin… Kunitz isn’t getting the job done.

by STAALKINEAL on Jan 12, 2012 10:07 AM EST up reply actions

So much death…what can men do against such reckless hate?

Let's grind these bitches down!

by lostprophetRJX on Jan 12, 2012 6:46 AM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

where now the horse and the rider? where is the horn that was blowing?

/closet dork here.

by mcnulty4prez on Jan 12, 2012 6:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

http://www.pensburgh.com/2012/1/12/2701703/game-photos-1-11-2012-pens-vs-caps

.Twitter

by PensAreYourDaddy on Jan 12, 2012 8:37 AM EST reply actions

Caps lost like 9 in a row last season? Still made the playoffs. Keep hope alive!

by biggoron on Jan 12, 2012 11:17 AM EST reply actions

Agreed - don't give up now.

The Pens are currently missing Crosby, Staal, and Letang. If those 3 get healthy, I really believe this team is equal to or better than the cup-winning team of 08-09. The Pens just need to make the playoffs, even the 8th spot, and then I think they can play with anyone.

"90% of the game is physical. The other half is mental." - Yogi Berra

by cyroose on Jan 12, 2012 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

Some positivity

The Pens lost and couldn’t score, but I liked the fight they showed in this game. They were buzzing around Vokoun for most of the third, and refused to give up. If they can hang with a healthy Caps team (other than Mike Green) sans Sid, Staal, and Tanger, they will beat a lot of teams if they can only get healthy…

I liked Geno’s play for the most part – he did try to do too much at times, and that turnover was ugly, but he also created a lot of chances in the Caps’ end. Fleury made a lot of big saves, too, stoning OV multiple times. Coming up, the Pens have the Panthers, Lightning and Hurricanes. I’d like to see them win 2 of 3 and turn this around a bit.

"90% of the game is physical. The other half is mental." - Yogi Berra

by cyroose on Jan 12, 2012 11:30 AM EST reply actions

That is a nice, positive thought. The Pens haven’t always been great playing in Florida, but hopefully they are focused and ready for this trip.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Jan 12, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

If they can hang with a healthy Caps team (other than Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom)

The amount of chances Malkin’s line was able to generate against Carlson-Alzner was really impressive. Normally those two are pretty stingy.

Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.

by red army line on Jan 12, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

This makes me feel better. Thanks RAL

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Jan 12, 2012 7:30 PM EST up reply actions

Same here. The Penguins have arrived at the last few games pre-beaten. That wasn’t the case last night. I’ll take 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 12, 2012 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec’d for total agreement.

Jagr? I don't even know 'er.

by PopRocks on Jan 12, 2012 10:04 PM EST up reply actions

Shit happens

The injuries are taking their toll. The team now has only one effective play maker — Malkin. That’s not enough.

s.zielinski

by steve_z on Jan 12, 2012 12:50 PM EST reply actions

The team has been built around the players that are hurt. Perhaps with the exception of Geno, but even he benefits ( as well as his linemates) when Sid, Letang and Staal are playing. Because the other teams cannot pressure only Geno. Having said that Fleury kept the Pens in the game, despite numerous mishaps on his part. Don’t forget that the Caps, although winners last night are far from being an elite team right now. If it would have been an elite team I’m afraid we would have lost by a bigger margin (not that it matters, a loss is a loss. One goal right now seems to be enough against this Pens. Hopefully at some point we’ll come out of this funk. Hopefully the quality players we are missing right now will return.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Jan 12, 2012 1:55 PM EST reply actions