Entering play on Monday, there have been only three games this season where an NHL team lost after leading by at least three goals entering the third period. The Pittsburgh Penguins own all of them.
The Penguins are 2-1-2 in those situations, losing one game in regulation and two in overtime/shootouts. Meanwhile, the rest of the league is 73-0.
Two of those losses happened last week for Pittsburgh. On Saturday, the Penguins blew a 5-1 lead early in the third period to the San Jose Sharks at home, allowing four goals in the final 13 minutes of regulation and another in overtime.
On Sunday, it happened again versus the Utah Mammoth. Pittsburgh raced out to a fast start and took a 3-0 lead into the third period, only to surrender four goals in a stunning six-minute span. The Penguins rallied to force overtime, only to lose again.
They’ve now lost five straight games, including all four on their current homestand. Four of those losses were by one goal — two in overtime and two in shootouts.
Story continues below advertisement
Pittsburgh’s inability to close out games has been both baffling and costly. The team is 1-9 in games decided in shootouts or overtime, which isn’t a recipe for success.
Perhaps it’s a result of the Penguins being too conservative with a lead or their older stars running out of gas in the third period. Whatever the reason, they need to fix it if they want to get back on track and make the playoffs this season.
Story continues below advertisement
More Penguins: Kyle Dubas Explains Message To Penguins After Acquiring Stuart Skinner
Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images