Pens Points: Late Game Letdown

Even with a playoff spot already locked up points are still valuable to the Penguins as they fight to keep pace with the Capitals and Blue Jackets in the Metro division. Leading 1-0 in the third period the Pens were on track for two points but let the game slip away, ultimately losing 2-1 in a shootout to the Ottawa Senators. To make matters worse, the Capitals prevailed in a shootout of their own over the Blue Jackets to slightly widen their lead over the Pens. [Pensburgh]

No rest for the weary as the Pens get right back at it tomorrow night, playing host to the Islanders at PPG Paints Arena. The Islanders are currently in a battle for the last playoff spot in the East and will be desperate to get a win on the road. Game time is 7:00 PM and will be broadcast on ROOT Sports.

If self inflicted pain is something you enjoy then make sure you check out Mike’s 2010 playoff recap. It features franchise villain Mike Cammalleri and his Montreal Canadiens stopping the Pens repeat bid along with closing down Mellon Arena in heartbreaking fashion. [Pensburgh]

In the midst of a heated scoring race and fighting to defend last season’s Stanley Cup title, Pens captain Sidney Crosby still has that same Crosby concentration that sets him apart. [Trib Live]

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has been suspended three games for his head shot on Jake Guentzel Tuesday night. [KDKA]

With Guentzel out of the lineup indefinitely with a concussion, the Penguins recalled forward Josh Arichbald from the AHL to fill his spot. [Penguins]

After missing last seasons Cup run with an injury, Scott Wilson is looking forward to helping the Pens defend their title anyway he can. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

If you hear music playing don’t be startled, that’s just Nick Bonino beginning to make an entrance. March is here and Bonino is starting to heat up. We’ve seen this story before. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Every Pens hates the Philadelphia Flyers, it’s just a part of your fan DNA when you cheer for the skating penguin. That said, are the Flyers really the Pens main rival or does another team stake claim to that title? [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

If you have some free time this weekend check out the opening rounds of the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament. Chances are you’ll get to see a future Penguin in action. [Penguins]

An imperfect playoff format will force one of the NHL’s best teams to be eliminated in the first round. [Chicago Tribune]

News and notes from around the NHL...

After the NHL dropped ominous news regarding their participation in the 2018 Olympics, the president of the IIHF asked for a final decision to be made by the end of April. [Seattle Times]

As the New York Islanders continued their push for a playoff spot they will be without forward Ryan Strome the rest of the way after he suffered a broken wrist. [Puck Daddy]