Penguins Blow Lead (Again), Fish Sticks Prevail in Shootout
While a contest of far greater importance played out across our great nation last night, the Penguins took on the Islanders at UBS Arena.
The banged-up Islanders, I should add. As in missing top talent Mat Barzal, speedy game-breaker Anthony Duclair and a passel of port-side defensemen.
For most of the night, or at least two periods, our Pens took full advantage and played a really strong road game. Lots of north-south. Lots of pressure. We snatched a 2-1 lead on goals by our Two-Headed Monster, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Soon to be 3-1 when Michael Bunting notched his first goal of the season off a nifty feed from Jesse Puljujärvi at 7:44 of the third period.
Mike Lange’s turkey was on the table. Everything was done but the carving.
Well, someone left the back door ajar. Quicker than you could say “blown lead,” the Bumpuses hungry hounds poured in and snatched the turkey off the table, leaving behind nary a drumstick.
I’ll transition from my Christmas Story analogy and state that in all my years of watching hockey, I’ve never seen a team more prone to shooting itself in the foot.