DALLAS — The Pittsburgh Penguins started well and finished well, but it was the 40 minutes in between that were the more accurate descriptor of their season and the deciding factor of the game. The Dallas Stars scored a pair of quick goals as the Penguins defensive zone coverage cratered.
Dallas beat the Penguins 4-2 at American Airlines Center.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski faced the wrath of the readers from the AAC by taking questions from readers on X. From bringing up prospects to Erik Karlsson and if the Penguins even have the energy to compete were some of the pointed questions posed.
The Penguins had only 22 shots on goal Friday, captain Sidney Crosby had none, and even coach Mike Sullivan admitted the team badly needed a goal to spark them.
“We had a number of different looks where we had opportunities,” Sullivan said postgame. “We’re not executing on that. If we do it, we give ourselves a chance. I also think it just changes the mindset.”
The loss was yet another mortal wound in their playoff quest, and as Kingerski noted in the Penguins grades, it seems even the team is coming to grips with it.
The disappointment, the prospects, Erik Karlsson, and what comes next for the Penguins. It’s all in the postgame video.
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