The Penguins began their post-Christmas slate against the Metro rival Islanders on Long Island last night. Unfortunately, they forgot to pack their A-Game for the trip to UBS Arena.
Or their B-Game. Maybe even their C-Game, for that matter.
In fact, the Pens pretty much reverted to their putrid pre-Thanksgiving form, when they had a record of 7-12-4 and were belly-scraping the bottom of the NHL standings.
They didn’t forecheck. They didn’t backcheck. They didn’t slow the Isles down in the neutral zone. Nor did they battle or play with any discernable physicality or intensity, especially around their own net. Indeed, the blue paint surrounding Tristan Jarry was pretty much a safe haven for Islanders forwards like noted Penguin-killer Anders Lee (pictured), who scored two goals.
Our top line, so good of late, was bad. How bad you ask? Rickard Rakell tallied a goal and an assist, yet finished a minus-2. Sidney Crosby, who had a record-breaking assist taken away, was minus-3. Bryan Rust took home the booby-prize at minus-4.
Despite all the negatives, we trailed by only a goal (4-3) heading into the final period, thanks to Rakell’s nifty tip-in with four seconds left in the second period.
