'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the wrong side of a blowout against the Dallas Stars on Monday night. The score was 6-0 after 20 minutes. The Penguins pulled starting netminder Joel Blomqvist after giving up three goals on eight shots.
Trending
Then, Blomqvist’s replacement, Alex Nedeljkovic gave up another three goals to turn the game into a rout.
Given the ludicrous score in the first period, Pittsburgh Penguins fans took to social media to vent their frustration. Here’s what fans had to say:
“Atrocious. Unwatchable,” one fan opined.
“Pathetic from Sullivan, pulling the goalie as if it’s him to blame,” another fan commented.
“Fire Sullivan,” this fan chimed in.
While Penguins fans’ rage is justifiable, other fans took a more measured approach. These fans attempted to make sense of what they saw on the ice. Here’s a closer look at what these fans expressed:
“Not his fault. Not even the defensemen know how to play defense on these team. Under sized and over aged the 2024-2025 Pens,” a fan posted on social media.
“Wow. And everyone thinks Jarry is the problem. It’s Sully’s stale system and slow forwards,” another fan remarked.
Keep Sullivan and nothing will change — he allows the veterans (LeTang, Karlsson) to play their own way - zero accountability… he should have already been fired…” this fan weighed in.
The first period against Dallas was the Pittsburgh Penguins’ worst period this season. Meanwhile, the Stars showed tremendous depth and high-end talent throughout their lineup.
Pittsburgh Penguins get one back, still lose 'ugly' game
When the dust settled, the Pittsburgh Penguins lost 7-1 to the Stars. On the bright side, Anthony Beauvillier broke the shutout midway through the second period.
However, the Stars got the goal back on a third-period power play tally from Wyatt Johnston.
After the game, Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby spoke to the media. NHL.com quoted Crosby’s comments regarding the matchup against the Stars, stating:
“We got behind and started chasing it. If you do that against a dangerous team, it can get ugly, and that’s what happened.”
While the Penguins settled in after the first period, the game was essentially over after 20 minutes. The Penguins tried to get back into it, but couldn’t muster very much against a stacked Dallas team.
Crosby was held off the scoresheet, registering a mere two shots on goal. Crosby concluded by stating:
“We made mistakes like that. We put ourselves in that spot. It’s tough. You got to try to keep playing and get through, but it’s just a tough spot.”
Crosby and the Penguins find themselves in a tough spot, tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for the second-last place in the Metro Division, two points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, the Blue Jackets have three games in hand on the Penguins.
Thus, the Penguins potentially face finishing at the bottom of their division unless things turn around sooner rather than later.
