Penguins' Penalty Killing & Goaltending Woes: Challenges Before Playoffs

The Pittsburgh Penguins, surpassing expectations, have a good chance of qualifying for the postseason, sitting second in the Metropolitan Division.

However, they have had recent issues with penalty killing and inconsistent goaltending.

With eight games left in the regular season, they need to get back to playing consistent, simple hockey.

The Penguins have lost games due to careless mistakes.

On March 24, they lost 6-2 to the Colorado Avalanche, partly due to inconsistent goaltending.

Arturs Silovs allowed five goals on 29 shots, and on March 12, in another 6-2 loss against the Vegas Golden Knights, he allowed five goals on 16 shots.

While Silovs has played well overall, a more consistent effort is needed in the postseason.

Since the loss to the Avalanche, the Penguins have given up 48 goals in their last 11 games.

The defense has struggled, intensifying at the worst time of the season.

Penalty killing is another weak point: on March 22, they lost 5-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes after giving up three power-play goals.

On March 28, in their 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars, the penalty kill allowed two goals.

Blake Lizotte, Pittsburgh’s best penalty killer, was injured on March 14.

Even without him, the penalty kill should be better.

The Penguins are leaving wide-open lanes and giving opposing teams too much time on power plays.

They need to improve without Lizotte, who will not return before the playoffs.

The Penguins have played poorly, despite performing well in the neutral zone and creating scoring chances in the offensive zone.

They need to play disciplined hockey and make smart decisions with the puck.

This involves simplifying play in their own zone, with clean breakouts and transitions.

They defeated the New York Islanders 8-3 on Monday, but are only one point ahead of them.