Blown lead, Emotional Fleury shuts down ex-team, and more: 3 reasons why Pittsburgh Penguins lost 5-3 against Minnesota Wild

The Pittsburgh Penguins dropped a 5-3 game against the Minnesota Wild in what is likely Marc-Andre Fleury’s last game in Pittsburgh. The loss at the PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday night set the Pens back to a 3-7-1 record. Meanwhile, the Wild improved the 6-1-2.

Rickard Rakell had two goals with Valtteri Puustinen getting the other Pittsburgh Penguins’ tally. Sidney Crosby had three assists on the night. Frederick Gaudreau scored a pair for the Wild, with Jakub Lauko, Mats Zuccarello and Kirill Kaprizov adding the others for the team.

So, here’s a closer look at three reasons why the Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.

3 reasons why Pittsburgh Penguins lost against Minnesota Wild

#3. The Penguins couldn’t stay out of the penalty box

The Pittsburgh Penguins showed a lack of discipline, giving the Wild five power play opportunities. The Pens were fortunate to come out of it unscathed, as the Wild did not score on any of the power play chances they had.

However, the high number of penalties disrupted the Pens’ momentum, at one point trailing 4-2 after a 2-0 lead early in the game.

#2. The Penguins couldn’t hold the lead

The Pens were up 2-0 by the 15-minute mark of the first period. They had controlled much of the first. However, the Pens gave up two quick goals roughly 55 seconds apart.

In particular, Gaudreau’s first goal of the game was the result of a series of defensive miscues by the Penguins. A misplayed puck in front of the Penguins’ net led to Gaudreau picking up the puck after a failed pokecheck.

Then, no one picked up Gaudreau, who had all the time and space he needed to turn and fire on goal. The shot beat Joel Blomqvist, tying the game with a little under two minutes to go in the first.

#1. The Pens’ comeback fell short

Rickard Rakell got his second of the game early in the third. However, the Pens could not get the equalizer despite putting pressure on the Wild. The Wild ended up outshooting the Pens 14-9 in the third, with Kaprizov getting the empty-netter to ice the game.

Fleury played a great game, stymying the Pens in the third. Fleury stopped 26 shots for the win, drawing an ovation from the crowd at the final horn.

The Pens will be in action on Thursday night as they take on the Anaheim Ducks at the PPG Paints Arena.