With Thursday’s loss to the Montreal Canadiens, the Penguins have now lost three games in a row. A team that started low expectations but then raised them with a fast start is now struggling.

When the Penguins opened their season playing well, fans began thinking that making the playoffs was a possibility. But with this losing streak, the team’s record is now 14-8-7, and fans are concerned.

The Penguins had previously won five out of the six games before this new three-game losing streak, so fans will be hoping this recent downturn will be short-lived.

The Pens need to work on protecting leads, and they need to be better in overtimes and shootouts. Injuries to Evgeni Malkin, Blake Lizotte, and Rickard Rakell have also been a factor in the team’s struggles.

On Thursday night, Canadiens’ rookie goalie Jacob Fowler had 33 saves and brought momentum to his team. Brendan Gallagher, Cole Caufield, Oliver Kapanen and Alexandre Texier each scored a goal for Montreal. 

For the Pens, Bryan Rust has played really well, and against Montreal he had a goal and an assist. Over the season, he has nine goals, 14 assists, and 23 total points.

Other players who had a noticeable game on Thursday were Erik Karlsson with one goal, Kris Letang with an assist, and Sydney Crosby.

The way for Pittsburgh to get back to being a great team is to improve their chemistry. The team looks like they have been slacking, possibly in practice or togetherness. 

The team needs to get together more, either for a team dinner or an extra workout now and then. It just does not seem they are all on the same page with each other.

Though the Pens are going through a rough patch, they should be able to pull themselves together under the leadership of Crosby and at least make it to the playoffs, even if they lose in the first round.