Penguins Can’t Hold Back Avalanche

It’s safe to say Saturday afternoon’s tilt against the league-best Avalanche represented a measuring stick of sorts for our Penguins. After all, the Avs had amassed 102 points going into the fray…a full 10 better than the black and gold.

If the 3-2 loss is an accurate reflection of our standing, we aren’t too far off the mark. Indeed, for 40 minutes at least, we skated stride for stride with the Avs if not a step ahead. However, as the old saying goes, the devil is in the details. At critical junctures, our structure and defensive-zone coverage broke down, much as it has throughout the second half of the season. It proved to be the difference.

Still, the Pens gave the Avs a run for their money. We piled up a 17-11 edge in first-period shots on goal and narrowly missed taking the lead when a Rickard Rakell shot whistled wide of the net.

The Avs proceeded to draw first blood at the midway point of the game, courtesy of a glaring giveaway in the offensive zone by Evgeni Malkin. Nathan MacKinnon quickly countered, sailing into the Pens’ end before pulling up and feathering a soft feed to a trailing Andre Burakovsky.

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