Penguins Suffer Ugly Defeat Against Panthers

PITTSBURGH – From one back-to-back situation to another, the Pittsburgh Penguins entered battle against the Florida Panthers with a realigned lineup. Thanks to injuries and a salary cap squeeze, the Penguins were forced to play with an 11-forward, seven-defense defenseman setup.

It wouldn’t be easy for the Penguins, as the Panthers are one of the top teams in the NHL. The Penguins said they were ready for the augmented lineup and a physical affair.

First Period

Despite the high tensions from their last meeting, this game started with much more low-event hockey. The Penguins failed to record a shot on goal until exactly nine minutes in and only added one more for the remainder of the frame.

The Penguins saw two power play chances slip away in the first period, and neither team could find the back of the net. As the period went on, the tensions finally started to boil over with a few scrums, including a sizable one heading into intermission.

Second Period

That scrum between the teams led to coincidental roughing penalties to Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins and Panthers started the second period at four-on-four.

Neither team did much on the four-on-four, but the Penguins were gifted with another power play opportunity moments later. The Penguins thought they took the first lead on the man advantage, but it was deemed no-goal thanks to a high stick from Lars Eller.

As the power play chance ended, the Penguins missed an excellent opportunity to find the back of the net, but the Panthers pounced and created their own offense. The Panther took full advantage of the Penguins' mistake to start the scoring.

It took 34 seconds before the Panther took a 2-0 lead off a deflection in front of Tristan Jarry.

Things got uglier as the Panthers added a third and fourth goal while the Penguins only put up one shot in response.

The Penguins finally found the back of the net from Jake Guentzel, but the Panthers looked to keep the shutout alive. The Panthers issued a coach's challenge for goaltender interference, but the goal stood.

That was as far as the Penguins got; however, as they entered the third period down by three goals.

Third Period

The Panthers pretty quickly extended their lead to 5-1 when a shot was blocked but popped way above the ice. As the puck fell back to Earth, it landed perfectly behind Jarry.

Despite the game likely being out of reach, the Penguins had time for a nice milestone. Defenseman John Ludvig gave the Penguins their second tally of the game for his first goal in the NHL.