The Penguins could not keep the net clear in front of goaltender Tristan Jarry during the first period last night, and it cost them the game.
Paul Steigerwald has the story.
Coach Mike Sullivan says the Penguins were not up to par last night, which is always going to be costly against a team like Florida, which is tied with Carolina for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and for the second-most points in the entire league.
Sullivan says you cannot allow a team like Florida to have so much time in front of your goalie.
Looking for offense beyond the first line, Sullivan shuffled the lineup in the third period, keeping Kasperi Kapanen, Evan Rodrigues, and Dominick Simon on the bench for most of the period. The coach says he is hoping something clicks with players like Kapanen, because he needs more balanced scoring.
The Penguins are off until Friday, when they play the Vegas Golden Knights at PPG Paints Arena, and on Sunday afternoon they will host Carolina.
Injured defenseman Mike Matheson skated with his teammates yesterday morning, wearing a white non-contact jersey. Teddy Blueger returned to the Pens’ lineup last night.
