3 least impressive Pittsburgh Penguins players from 5-1 loss to Anaheim Ducks feat. Evgeni Malkin 

These are the kinds of games that on paper, one team is expected to win. But then again, that's why the games are played on the ice rather than on paper.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, who are attempting desperately to secure a postseason berth, dropped what should have been a winnable game against the struggling Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night at Honda Center in Anaheim.

The 5-1 loss dropped Pittsburgh, who is facing multiple rumors of a potential mass selling off of assets by general manager Kyle Dubas, to 20-22-8; the Ducks improved their own record to 19-23-6.

Midway through the first period, the Ducks grabbed the lead thanks to the eighth goal of the season from Mason MacTavish; the lead was later increased to 2-0 after Alex Killorn notched his ninth goal. The Ducks enjoyed the two-goal lead as they went to their dressing room in the first intermission.

At 5:32 of the second period, Pittsburgh's Michael Bunting halved the Anaheim lead with a power-play goal; it was his 14th goal of the season.

And while the Penguins attempted to come back, they proved unable to. In the third period, the Ducks extended their lead thanks to the second goals of the game from MacTavish and Killorn, along with another goal from Frank Vatrono.

Alex Nedeljkovic made 29 saves in a losing effort, while Pittsburgh native John Gibson made 31 saves for the Ducks, picking up the victory.

3 least impressive Pittsburgh Penguins players from 5-1 loss to Anaheim Ducks

#1. Evgeni Malkin

The Penguins veteran forward has been through it lately in his personal life, as he was victimized by a home burglary.

His thoughts may subsequently have not fully been on the ice for the Penguins; as Malkin failed to register a point, managed only two shots, and was a complete non-factor for his team.

#2. Matt Nieto

A critical error from Nieto opened the door for Killorn's first-period goal; his defensive miscue allowed Killorn to breeze by him and eventually score what would be the first of two goals on the night.

He finished with a -1 in less than 10 minutes of play.

#3. P.O. Joseph

The Penguins defenseman, who was recently re-acquired by the club, struggled against the Ducks.

He was caught out of position on multiple occasions and finished the game with a team-worst -3 rating and was also guilty of a giveaway.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will look to bounce back when they face the Seattle Kraken next at Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday.