Penguins opponents of late are doing their best Lil' John impression. Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, shots everybody!
The Penguins backup goaltenders have been less than stellar. Casey DeSmith would probably like to have back two of the goals he gave up in the New Jersey game, and both goalies were sub standard against Boston. But the bigger concern to me is the amount of shots and scoring chances Pittsburgh is giving up. After giving up 30 shots to Florida, the Pens have allowed 38 shots on goal against in each of the last two games. That's way too many.
The Penguins need to clean up their management of the puck and improve upon their d-zone coverage. The Penguins were charted with 12 giveaways against the Devils, and 14 against Boston. Putrid. The Penguins were also terrible in their own zone where they made the Bruins look like the Harlem Globetrotters. Ian Cole's departure isn't the only reason why.
The Penguins have reverted back to some of their early season ways. Blame the backup goalies if you want...Hell, we all did with Niemi. The bigger issue to me is Penguins need to get back to their structure. Right now it's nothing to LMFAO about.
Other crap:
--If Tom Kuhnhackle or Carter Rowney kick the puck in, I believe the goal should still count.
--Zdeno Chara is a baaaad man. But it's easier to be a tough guy when you're Goliath and everyone else is David.
--The Penguins had a shot to pull out last nights game if they got more shots on the net early. Tuukka Rask didn't exactly look sharp in the first. He did find his game as it wore on.
--Patric Hornqvist was visibly upset about the way the game was going, and he took out his frustrations on young phenom Charlie McAvoy. Love it. Another thing that underscores Hornqvist's meaning to the club.
--Pens PK was 1/4 in killing off penalties against a Boston PP that had struggled coming into the game.
Image Courtesy of Getty Images.