It’s impossible to feel good about a loss, especially one as preventable as the one the Pittsburgh Penguins had just faced. Since winning it all in 2017, the Penguins followed up their historical back-to-back Cups with a plethora of early-round exits. Whatever you want to call these playoffs, perhaps no loss was as avoidable as this 2020 round robin.
Facing a team that sold at the deadline in the 24th ranked Montreal Canadiens, was supposed to be an easy victory for this Penguins group. A Pittsburgh lineup that added Patrick Marleau, Conor Sheary, and Evan Rodrigues at the deadline. Ready to take advantage, Montreal was faced with a stumbling Penguins power-play and a tentative goalie in Matt Murray, against a return to form Carey Price.
Since Marc-Andre Fleury’s departure in 2017, Pittsburgh has consistently faced goaltending worries. Starting with Matt Murray was the right call. He is a proven winner and has previously performed in big moments. Disastrously, by the time Tristan Jarry entered the crease, the mess of the Penguins' postseason was too far gone to salvage. Be that as it may, only so much of the blame can rest on the goaltending tandem.
Perhaps the time for two-time Stanley Cup winning coach Mike Sullivan to leave Pittsburgh is upon us. Historically, severe on his players, the Penguins coach could not catch a break against the electrifying Canadiens. Bounce after bounce went to the opposition, and in retaliation, Sullivan played Jack Johnson, a defenseman that was on the ice for three even straight goals 17 minutes in game 1. Perhaps the series would not have been so decisive if more changes were implemented. Instead, we are left speculating what they could have done to save the faltering Penguins.
Reversing positions with the Canadiens. Now the spotlight is all on the 12.5% chance Pittsburgh has at landing the promising talent of Alexis Lafreniere. A sensational player that would be groomed for success as Crosby and Malkin are nearing retirement.
We’re at a point in time where Phil Kessel officially made the NHL playoffs, whereas the 5th best team last season in the Penguins have not. It’s normal to feel failure and regret after this series, nonetheless good may come out of it. With an ever so aging core, Pittsburgh needs prospects. Whether that’s Lafreniere remains to be seen.
The Penguins must discover the solution to their goaltending problems. Is Tristan Jarry their new starter and what does that mean for Matt Murray? Following two years in a row of monumental failure, Jim Rutherford must address this loss. They perhaps need a reconstruction of the team. Trading Phil Kessel was not the answer. At this moment, all we can do is speculate and focus on the future.
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