Last night, I went into my own game with the Pittsburgh Penguins leading the Maple Leafs 3-0 heading into the third period. Needless to say, when I got back in the lockerroom to check my phone I was fairly surprised to see a 4-3 loss. Not only a 4-3 loss, but a loss in regulation. There’s no other way to put it. This is a really bad result. It was a bad week to have a 3-0 lead in Toronto.
Welcome back old friend
We got the old Jarry tonight in the third period. He allowed four goals on only 12 shots. This does not erase the stretch of quality play he has put up this year. He’s been one of the better goalies this season. This however, was a reminder that the career sample points to a goaltender who is very volatile and on some nights you are going to get the bad version
On the four shots Jarry let in there was an expected goals against of 1.68. It was an unfortunate period of play and cost the team two standings points.
I wouldn’t change how the goalies are being used. I would have Silovs play in the next game against Washington on Thursday and I would put Jarry back in against New Jersey the following game. Jarry doesn’t deserve to miss a start for one bad period considering how the season started. Fair is fair. It doesn’t make it any less frustrating last night.
Another two goals for the kid
Ben Kindel had another great night. He scored once at even-strength by crashing the net and added another on the power play on a great wrist shot from the left circle.
Kindel has been right at home on the first power play. Putting him with the other high-end skilled players has worked out how it should. He’s also a highly skilled player and when you give him time and space he is going to make things happen even if he’s still finding his way in the league.
I knew Kindel would see the ice well and process time and space properly. One of the questions heading into the season I had was going to be if he could shoot the puck at the NHL level. He can.
Aside from the goals, Kindel also had a 75.55 xGF% on the evening. The kid is cooking.
Kindel came close to making NHL history
Last night was a reminder
The result last night is a reminder that while the Penguins start to the season has been fun, they remain a fringe playoff team. There are going to be a lot of ups and downs throughout the year and sometimes they are going to happen all in one game like the one last night. The thing I am grateful for is that the games have been super watchable and it holds true even in a discouraging loss.
As the season moves on I’m hoping they can start to clean up some of the chances they’ve been bleeding. I will also be looking for players like Avery Hayes and Tristan Broz get some NHL games. It is going to take some more time before Kyle Dubas starts to move out players like Noel Acciari (injured last night and did not return) and the ilk. Teams who are competing for the playoffs are going to start to see what their needs are and then transactions around the league will pick up.
Up next, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer will be paying Pittsburgh a visit on Thursday night. It’s always fun to get Crosby, Malkin, and Ovechkin together on the ice.
