PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins had a golden opportunity to put themselves within striking distance of a playoff spot heading into key games on back-to-back nights. Rather than returning home in good spirits with a solid chance of climbing the standings, they slip and lose both games, falling further into a hole.
After a 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, the Penguins hold a 23-19-7 record with 53 standings points. That places them seven points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Things aren’t going well for the Penguins, as their scoring from anyone outside the top line has completely dried up. After the loss, head coach Mike Sullivan let his displeasure known by calling out his team.
“We need more guys to step up,” Sullivan said. “I’m probably stating the obvious when I say that. It takes a complete effort. We need everybody to make contributions here throughout our lineup on both sides of the puck.”
The power play once again failed to score a goal and likely cost the Penguins in a one-goal game, but scoring has hit rock bottom in multiple areas of the team. The current iteration of the bottom six has combined for 10 goals since the turn of the New Year 14 games ago. Lars Eller and Rickard Rakell have combined for six of those 10.