The Pittsburgh Penguins were surrounded by hints of the new and signs of the old Monday.
NHL scores 2015: Penguins falter in front of new coach, Oilers continue impressing with win
Patience is the key in Pittsburgh.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
It was the first game behind the bench for new head coach Mike Sullivan, who took over after Mike Johnston was fired over the weekend. His reign as coach of Pittsburgh’s AHL team was just reaching its peak when he was called up to the big squad.
The team Sullivan inherits now is at the opposite end of that spectrum. The Penguins still clearly are struggling after a 4-1 loss to Washington. Scoring and defending have been Pittsburgh's woes all season and they both played a part in their defeat Monday. Nearly every shot was turned away by Capitals goalie Braden Holtby and Washington quickly pulled away from the Penguins twice in the loss.
But at least the dedication to change is there. The move to replace Johnston was the first sign of that. The players voicing their commitment and responsibility for improving was the second. And the front office reinforced the feeling by making a trade for Trevor Daley Monday night.
It’s not a move that will immediately correct the Penguins’ course. None of the changes or words over the last week will. But it’s something, and the vigor the Penguins showed on Monday might show it’s already having an effect.
Scores
Capitals 4, Penguins 1
Lightning 2, Blue Jackets 1
3 things we learned
1. Peter Chiarelli is feeling good this morning
Getting fired by the Bruins and ending up in Edmonton wasn't exactly the career path Chiarelli had in mind five years ago. But his current team is showing signs of improvement these days. The Oilers battled the Bruins to overtime, where they won their sixth straight game Monday. They're now tied with the Sharks and Coyotes for a playoff spot in the Pacific. That Edmonton reached that peak in Boston makes it even sweeter for its boss.
2. The Red Wings are very committed to staying onsides
Just ask Luke Glendening’s groin.
3. The Senators are channeling their recent frustrations well
On Saturday, Ottawa played well below its potential in Arizona and it clearly got into the Senators’ heads a bit. Play like that could’ve resulted in a downswing. Instead, the Sens have 10 goals in their last two games, both wins. That Mike Hoffman has rebounded from his recent benching doesn’t hurt, either. The sophomore forward has two goals and four points over the past two contests.
Impact Moment
Pascal Dupuis got the send-off he deserved in Pittsburgh.
Merci @Duper0009. #WSHvsPIT https://t.co/IrVlPouoVD
— NHL (@NHL) December 15, 2015 Stat of the Night
.@EdmontonOilers earned their 1st win in Boston since Nov. 7, 1996, snapping a 10-game winless streak since (0-8-2). pic.twitter.com/uWrPjd4v62
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 15, 2015 Twenty years!
Post-to-Post
- The Jets might have to fork over a lot of cash to keep their three big free agents this summer.
- Pavel Datsyuk is still a puck wizard.
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