Penguins Blow Outstanding Performance from Sidney Crosby

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins don’t have much runway left to keep themselves in the playoff race, and the competition isn’t getting any easier. They traveled to take on Stanley Cup contender Colorado Avalanche to finish up a three-game road trip.

Entering the afternoon matchup with the Avalanche, the Penguins carried a seven-game road losing streak. Things are getting bleak for the Penguins, but they haven’t waved the white flag just yet.

First Period

The Avalanche are a tough team, but the Penguins opened the contest with a ton of momentum in their favor. The Penguins carried the pace of play early, taking a big lead in shots, but took the game’s first penalty.

Jesse Puljujarvi went to the box for holding, but the Penguins again controlled the game, not allowing a single shot while a man down. Puljujarvi made his way out of the box and had arguably his best shift as a Penguin. He capped it off with a goal on a Sidney Crosby backhand rebound.

The Penguins weren’t done after Puljujarvi’s goal, too as Bryan Rust capitalized on a great second effort from himself. Rust worked his way around an Avalanche defender and slipped a shot under the skate of Alexander Georgiev. With a two-goal lead, the Penguins had some early breathing room.

The first period ended with the Penguins completely in the driver’s seat. Up 2-0 on the score sheet and 15-4 in shots, the Penguins entered the first intermission in complete control.

Second Period

In the early stages of the second frame, the Avalanche thought they had cut their deficit in half, but Alex Nedeljkovic managed to stay on top of the puck and ensured it didn’t cross the goal line.

The Avalanche started to pick up the pace after a slow first period, but Nedeljkovic stood tall.

Crosby already had a pair of assists at this point, but wasn’t done when he tacked on a deflection goal to give the Penguins a 3-0 lead. The Penguins playoff chances might be slim, but Crosby is doing all he can to keep their hopes alive.

P.O. Joseph answered not long later to give the Penguins a massive 4-0 lead, and once again, Crosby had a hand in the goal. Crosby and the Penguins were in complete control with a 4-0 lead.

The Avalanche finally found an answer not long after Joseph’s goal to show some life. Not only was it the Avalanche’s first goal of the game, but it was the first goal scored against the Penguins all season.

As the period was winding down, the Penguins were starting to feel a ton of pressure from the Avalanche. With about 30 seconds remaining in the second period, the Avalanche picked up another to make it a 4-2 game.

Third Period

The Penguins went from the driver’s seat to reeling as the Avalanche made things interesting for the final 20 minutes.

Interest levels rose quickly as the Avalanche not only scored to make it a one-goal game, but the Penguins announced that defensive forward Noel Acciari would not return to the game. Not long after, Nedeljkovic was pulled by the NHL's concussion spotters, and Tristan Jarry was forced into the game.

Jarry was immediately tested by the Avalanche, but he made a couple of big saves in his first few minutes between the pipes.

Despite the strong start, Jarry couldn't keep his net empty, as Nathan MacKinnon's one-timer officially eliminated the Penguins' 4-0 lead. After the game-tying goal, Nedeljkovic returned to the Penguins' net.

The Penguins allowed four unanswered goals after looking to be in complete control of the early stages of the game. They wouldn't allow a fifth just yet, as the clock his zero, heading to overtime.

Overtime

The Penguins were guaranteed a point, but need the second to keep up in the playoff race. After allowing a 4-0 lead to slip away, this would be a crucial overtime period for the Penguins.

It took the Avalanche under a minute to secure the second point in their favor. Jonathan Drouin beat Kris Letang clean and had no problem putting his shot over a sprawling Nedeljkovic.

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