Hold the Champagne, Wings Burst Penguins Bubble, 4-2
The Penguins continued to perform their version of “The Hockey .500 Two-Step” last night with a 4-2 loss to Detroit at Little Caesars Arena.
You know the dance. Win one to go a game above .500. Lose one to fall back to .500.
Aside from the fact that we were blitzed out of our skates at the outset by the quick-starting Red Wings, the Pens didn’t play a bad game. However, we didn’t generate a ton of shots (55 attempted, 25 on net) or scoring chances (23) and couldn’t get a leg up on our foe.
The good news? Drew O’Connor snapped a confidence-sapping 32-game drought with a pair of goals!
His first came on a slapper from the right circle at 18:29 of the first period, courtesy of an absolutely gorgeous play and pass from Cody Glass. DOC’s second tally came early in the third period on the power play. On his knees and digging with the vigor of Mike Lange’s coal miner, Drew poked the puck past Red Wings goalie Alex Lyon.
Both goals “drew” the Pens even on the scoreboard.