Whatever your opinion of Mike Johnston might be, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that he wasn’t the only problem in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins continued their rudderless play of late, suffering their fifth straight loss as the Carolina Hurricanes edged them 2-1.
At this point, it’s tougher to spin the effort seen since Sullivan took the reins, although perhaps the dividends will pay out in the future.
Yes, the Penguins generated a 38-26 shot edge, but at some point you just need to find a way to win. It’s not just five straight losses for the Penguins; they’re now 2-6-2 in a troubling 10-game span. They’ve only won twice and generated five standings points in December.
The team still seems to be pulling for future bounces:
A game of power plays, Murray makes his debut, and the #Pens have another night without puck luck. Impressions: https://t.co/jgD51KE9xj
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 20, 2015
If things aren’t already bleak, consider the fact that their schedule is worrisome on top of all that. Only four of their next 11 games take place at home.
Cam Ward certainly deserves a bunch of credit for his work tonight, although some view it as merely another way to condemn the Penguins:
Nothing says you may not make the playoffs quite like one goal on 38 shots against Cam Ward.
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) December 20, 2015
At this point, the only source of solace for Penguins fans might come in the bevy of funny faces Mike Sullivan keeps making ... and that comic relief is likely lost on much of the audience.