Following Sunday’s thrilling 4-3 shootout win against the Montreal Canadiens, the Pittsburgh Penguins aimed to maintain that momentum in Tuesday’s last game before the holiday break against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite sustained pressure and some strong plays, the Penguins fell short, losing 6-3 in a match that was closer than the score suggested. Toronto secured the win with two late empty-net goals and a spectacular goal from Max Domi, despite Pittsburgh’s persistent efforts throughout the game.
William Nylander opened the scoring midway through the first period after a turnover by Kevin Hayes led to a breakaway, but Brian Rust quickly replied for the Penguins. Sidney Crosby, who moved into eighth place on the NHL’s all-time assist list, was a key contributor as the Penguins pressed hard. However, a deflected shot by defender Parker Wotherspoon allowed Toronto to regain the lead at 2-1.
The Penguins continued to hold their own in the second period, but costly mistakes, including a turnover by Erik Karlsson, hurt their chances. Third-line player Rutger McGroarty looked dangerous throughout and scored to bring the Penguins within one goal. Early in the third, Anthony Mantha tied the game, but Domi’s brilliant goal gave the Leafs a lead they kept until the end. Goalie Stuart Skinner made 25 saves but struggled overall with a recent save percentage of .831.
Pittsburgh’s record now stands at 15-12-9, just three points away from both the Wild Card spot and the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Their next game is against the Chicago Blackhawks on December 28 after the holiday break.
Key takeaways include that, although the Penguins controlled much of the game and created scoring chances, recurring mistakes that were rare earlier in the season now consistently undermine their efforts. The defensive pairing of Karlsson and Wotherspoon has faltered, creating more turnovers and defensive lapses. On a positive note, McGroarty’s recent play has been promising, signaling potential growth that could help the team.
Goaltending remains a significant issue, with Skinner and backup Arturs Silovs both struggling recently. If the Penguins hope to stay competitive, improvement in net is critical, possibly prompting them to turn to prospects like Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist in the AHL.
Meanwhile, prospect Avery Hayes continues to excel in the AHL, maintaining promising form that could benefit the Penguins moving forward.
Fan Take: This game highlights the Penguins’ potential when executing well but also underscores the critical defensive and goaltending issues that need fixing if they want to remain playoff contenders. For hockey fans, this season is a tense reminder of how even established teams must constantly adapt and improve to stay competitive in the NHL.
