Fortunately for the Pittsburgh Penguins, there are 81 more games to go. However, they did little with the first of 82, failing to convert a few early scoring chances before succumbing to backchecking gaffes, soft goals, and silly mistakes. The New York Rangers humbled the Penguins 6-0 at PPG Paints Arena Wednesday night.
The boo-birds were feasting, even when there was little devour, though the Penguins allowed Pittsburgh-native Vincent Trocheck to score a shorthanded goal at 11:35 the third period, which was the sour icing on the cake, followed by Trocheck’s second goal at 16:59.
For several new Penguins, the energy and opportunities were present, but New York got the first break of the season when fourth-line center Sam Carrick (1) perfectly deflected defenseman Jacob Trouba’s wrist shot over Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry’s extended pad at 2:24 of the first period.
It was New York’s first shot of the game and and proceeded a pair of dangerous Penguins scoring chances, including Anthony Beauvillier’s open wrist shot from the slot on the first shift of the game.
Beauvillier, wearing No. 72, made his Penguins debut and played on Sidney Crosby’s line, conjuring the unmistakable images of former Crosby linemate Patric Hornqvist, who also wore No. 72 and was an integral part of the Penguins’ back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017.
However, as the Penguins had a few scoring chances in the first period, New York had a few goals.
After one New York goal was overturned for offsides, New York scored twice late in the first period, swooping in like a vulture on Penguins mistakes.
Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson overplayed a two-on-two, dropping to the ice to defend. Instead, he slid out of the play, allowing Alex Lafreniere (1) a clean rip past Jarry at 17:23.
In the final minute of the first period, Penguins winger Drew O’Connor angrily whacked a fluttering puck out of the air in the neutral zone. Instead of a line change, it became icing, and the tired Penguins top line was unable to defend as New York peppered the Penguins with chances until Chris Kreider (1) scored with 11 seconds remaining.
New York goalie Igor Shesterkin, who reportedly turned down an eight-year, $88 million contract extension this week, was able to absorb any and all Penguins’ scoring chances until New York scored again.
Will Cuyle swooped past Pettersson on the right flank, pulling defenseman Matt Grzelcyk out of position to defend. With both defensemen collapsing on Cuylle near the net, his perfect drop pass to Filip Chytil (1), who quickly roofed a shot past Jarry.
The home fans booed at the end of the first period and elevated their displeasure into the second. The Penguins weren’t lifeless, but every mistake became a New York goal.
Leading 4-0, New York controlled the second period, outshooting the Penguins 17-8 in the middle frame.
Kreider (2) scored a shorthanded breakaway goal at 11:35 of the third and Fifth Ave. was quickly full of fans heading home.
Jarry stopped only 24 of the first 28 shots in 40 minutes and 35 of 41 overaell. Shesterkin claimed all 19 Penguins’ shots in the first two periods with nary a rebound and stopped all 30 he faced.
All Penguins players were a minus except Evgeni Malkin, Rickard Rakell, and Michael Bunting.
The Penguins embark on a three-game road trip Thursday, beginning in Detroit. Game time is just after 8 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.
Penguins Lines
Drew O’Connor-Sidney Crosby-Anthony Beauvillier
Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rakell
Rutger McGroarty-Lars Eller-Jesse Puljujarvi
Kevin Hayes-Cody Glass-Noel Acciari
Defense
Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves-Jack St. Ivany
