Glass Half Empty After Pens Blow Another Two-Goal Lead Friday
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On a day when the Penguins announce the
signing of their 2010 no. 1 draft choice, the Flyers’ 2011 first-round pick nets a hat trick.
That sums up the way things seem to be going for Pittsburgh thus far in the playoffs. The Pens do something good and the Flyers come back and one-up them.
Art Ross Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin finally picks up a pair of helpers and Claude Giroux collects a hat trick AND three assists.
The intangibles are trending Philadelphia’s way and the Pens are in jeopardy of a quick one-and-done playoff run.
Former Pens Max Talbot and Jaromir Jagr look like they have something to prove and they’re going out there and getting it done. I’m still waiting for Flyers assistant Joey Mullen to come out of the rafters and score one for the orange and black. Now that would be something.
This series is being won and lost by the grit and an every-single-lineshift style of play evident in the Flyers' passion.
Jakub Voracek and Matt Read came through with the game-winner in Game 1. Where are the Penguins fourth liners? What have they done? Arron Asham hasn’t set the world on fire, but if he’s only going to get 10 minutes total in two games, why not try someone else like Richard Park?
It’s fair to put some of the blame on coach Bylsma. Execution is one thing but the Philadelphia power play dissected the third-ranked Pittsburgh PK unit like it didn’t exist. Positioning, lane responsibility, that falls on the coaching staff instructing players on where to be.
Philadelphia acts while Pittsburgh waits and reacts.
After losing two straight to the Flyers and five playoff games in a row at CONSOL , the Penguins likely can’t wait to get on the road. Maybe the CEC is too plush for its own good. Heck, 191 NHL players thought it was the best visiting dressing room by nearly a 2-to-1 margin over any other place in this
Sports Illustrated poll.
It comes down to basics. Marc-Andre Fleury lets up a tremendously juicy rebound helping Jagr to a game-winning goal. Ben Lovejoy tries an ill-advised pass right in front of Sean Couturier that leads directly to a goal by the rookie. The Pens aggressive system isn’t working and coach Bylsma needs to figure something out.
Maybe Mario will come out of his suite and tell his players about the time he held a team meeting and instituted the left-wing lock during the playoffs.
Something needs to change. The clock is ticking and the heart beat grows fainter. The opportunity for a long playoff run is there but it’s slipping away fast than you can say Peter Laviolette.
Pittsburgh has lost two of three playoff series since the Cup and is in jeopardy of going 3-for-4 in a hurry.
Treasure Life!
JT
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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