Pittsburgh Penguins Look to Rebound Tonight After 8-4 Loss to Senators

Published: 25^th Mar 12 2:12 pm

Troy Pfaff
Featured NHL Columnist and Pittsburgh Pirates Writer

RANT It!

A two-point night from captain Sidney Crosby couldn’t help the Pittsburgh Penguins overcome the eight goals allowed by backup goaltender Brad Thiessen in last night’s 8-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

A few of the goals can’t be blamed on Thiessen as the Penguins defense allowed countless breakaways and two-on-one opportunities to the Senators. Ottawa stretched Pittsburgh’s defense all night and the Penguins never adjusted.

Matt Cooke potted two goals but was called for a phantom goalie interference penalty in the second period. The Senators scored on the ensuing power play to make the score 3-2 in their favor and never looked back.

The Penguins didn’t receive any outside help in their quest for the top seed in the Eastern Conference as both the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers won last night. The Penguins now sit three points behind the Rangers and two points ahead of the Flyers with a game-in-hand on each team.

Pittsburgh’s loss broke the team’s 14-game point streak.

Tonight, the Penguins host the New Jersey Devils at the CONSOL Energy Center.

The Devils hold the sixth seed in the East – six points behind the Flyers – and have won three of the teams’ five meetings this season. They have outscored the Penguins 14-13 in the season series.

Marc-Andre Fleury will get the start tonight and hasn’t lost in regulation in 14 appearances.

Puck drop is 7:08 PM (assuming Pittsburgh hasn’t hired that ridiculous backup anthem singer from Ottawa).

The quest for the top continues.

Let’s Go Pens.

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