The Penguins are in a position that they aren't too familiar with. They have lost three regulation games in a row. Losing 6-3 was bad enough, but once again it looks like the team will have to play without the services of Kris Letang who was injured in the game

Kris Letang injured his left knee against the Red Wings and was unable to put pressure on it immediately. Letang attempted to return to the game, but that only last for one shift. It is unknown how serious his injury is. The team is off today so an update will likely come on Monday.

The Penguins did a respectable job when Letang missed time earlier this season, but it is a tough ask to have them consistently survive without the services of Letang. If you are desperate for a glass half-full approach perhaps clinging to the idea that this will give the Penguins another quality look at Justin Schultz and whether or not he can handle an expanded role. The Schultz decision looming in the offseason is a fascinating one and I personally don't have a great feel for whether the team should sign him or let him take the money elsewhere.

Even with Letang the Penguins have been trending towards being mediocre for their latest stretch of play.



This sample doesn't necessarily mean the team is in trouble although the red hot Washington Capitals await them tomorrow and after that it will be the Montreal Canadiens. Those are quality opponents and it could easily be a five game losing streak.

Sidney Crosby has cooled off in the goal scoring department. The pace he set for himself this year was absurd and not sustainable. It isn't ideal that he has not scored in five games, but that is part of the natural ebb and flow of goal scoring in this league. The five game drought was preceded by a five game goal scoring streak. He has four assists during the goalless streak.

Goaltending has been a strength for much of the year for Pittsburgh. The past three games have all been clunkers from that position. Marc-Andre Fleury has given up five and six goals in his last two starts while Matt Murray gave up four in his last one. If Pittsburgh is going to have compromised roster without Letang one of the two goalies is going to have to return to giving the team quality starts.

We'll see how long Letang is out for tomorrow. The results could have some significant consequences.

Thanks for reading!


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