The leader of a sliding team can always seem to be on edge, even one who has done just about everything there is to do in the sport.
That was the case on Sunday night, as Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby did not think much of a reporter’s question after he and his team were smacked by the Edmonton Oilers, 6-1.
In the locker room after the loss, Crosby was asked during the scrum, “Is the bigger picture maybe settling into the trade deadline? Is that picture sort of emerging in here?”
The Cole Harbor, Nova Scotia native responded to the question with a little bit of vinegar.
“The deadline date hasn’t changed, and we still need to get points. Yeah, I don’t know what picture you’re talking about. You know, it’s same situation it was yesterday.”
It is easy to see why Crosby was upset at the question, and is more or less frustrated with the situation the Penguins are in. The team has dropped three straight games right after coming out on top in the three before that.
The Penguins have shown glimpses of looking like they have what it takes to make a dash to a playoff spot, but the inconsistency that has plagued them throughout the regular season is the reason why they are so far out of the race.
As of Monday, Pittsburgh (27-24-8) is seventh in the Metropolitan Division, nine points back of the Philadelphia Flyers for third. The Pens are also 10 points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
It would surely look like a wasted season, especially the way Crosby has played. Despite his team being so far out of postseason contention, the the 36-year-old is performing at an MVP level. He leads the team with 32 goals and 31 assists, registering eight points over the last five games.
Pittsburgh has been pretty quiet on the trade front at this point. There were early inclinations that general manager Kyle Dubas might consider moving Jake Guentzel, but those rumors came to a halt after the 29-year-old was injured last month.
The Penguins have two more games before the deadline, as they face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday before hosting the Washington Capitals on Thursday.
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