Despite recent frustrating losses, Penguins' hot starts help build foundation

Since play resumed after NHL All-Star weekend, results for the Pittsburgh Penguins largely have been a mixed bag.

Fans who hoped a triumphant overtime win against the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 7 was an indicator of the Penguins being refreshed and refocused as the playoffs race tightens have been disappointed.

A 6-0 beatdown by the Los Angeles Kings followed Feb. 11.

After a 3-1 win over the Sharks on Feb. 14, the Penguins lost to the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders twice to fall to 3-4 post-All-Star break and 7-9-4 in 2023.

The same problems that kneecapped the Penguins (27-20-9) earlier this season persist: poor performances in overtime, an inability to hold late leads, a feast-or-famine power play, spotty goaltending and defense.

But through it all, the Penguins were one point out of the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card spot heading into Wednesday night’s games.

“There’s been a lot of our game that we’ve really liked,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “We feel like we’ve carried the play for significant periods of time and, even in the third periods, it’s not like we’re under siege. It’s just critical moments or breakdowns at the right times, and they’ve ended up in the back of our net, most recently.

“I would phrase that as game management. That’s the area where I think we can improve and get better.”

Sullivan was referencing the recent losses against the Islanders and Devils.

The first of those games, a 5-4 loss in New York on Feb. 17, saw the Penguins buzzing at the start as they outshot the Islanders, 18-8, in the first period and 19-10 in the second, setting the tempo and dominating in the offensive zone.

Late in the second period, the Penguins led 4-2 before allowing the final three goals.

The following night in New Jersey might not have featured such a commanding start for the Penguins, but they took an early 1-0 lead only to allow four unanswered goals in a 5-2 loss.

The Penguins enjoyed a similarly promising start in Monday’s home game against the Islanders as they racked up 19 shots to New York’s seven in the first period and led 2-1 in the second.

But once again, they were unable to maintain the lead and lost 4-2.

“We’re trying to do that every game. … We’re trying to put teams on their heels right away and see if we can jump to a lead and stay after them,” forward Jason Zucker said. “We’ve done that the last few (games) but haven’t been able to keep them. So now, that’s kind of the emphasis: making sure that we keep those leads.”

The Penguins’ last three games offer a microcosm of the team’s yearlong performance.

On Thursday, the Penguins have a tall task in trying to stop the visiting Edmonton Oilers, who boast one of the most potent offenses in the NHL.

“Hopefully we score a few more goals and get a bit more of a cushion,” Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. You want to come out in games ready and set the tone. Sometimes that translates to a lead, sometimes it doesn’t.

“It’s a good feeling. It’s good for momentum, but if you can get a couple goals out of that, it goes a long way to playing the right way and opening teams up a little bit, too.”