Failure to close out games remains a concern for Pens in 2010

The recipe the Montreal Canadiens won with against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the spring 2010 playoffs worked again on Saturday night.

The Canadiens scored timely goals, got better goaltending and the Mike Cammalleri "factor" showed up once again as the Canadiens defeated the Penguins 3-2 at the Consol Energy Center.

In a back and forth closely matched game, Mark Letestu gave the Penguins a 2-1 lead at the 8:42 mark in the third period and the Penguins were on their way to earning their first victory of the season.

As the period progressed, Pittsburgh was faced with their first situation this season of protecting a lead, something head coach Dan Bylsma stressed this week regarding the Penguins being better prepared to close out games this year.

"I think we've improved with our defense and our ability to defend, and the mindset that's something we're going to be doing, protecting leads and winning one goal games, " Bylsma said on Tuesday of this week.

The Penguins though were unable to close out the game and get a "big save" when needed.

Mike Cammalleri scored his second goal of game, deflecting a Jeff Halpern shot past Fleury with 2:12 remaining in the third to tie the game at 2-2 and Pittsburgh was stunned just seconds later when Canadiens center Scott Gomez scored a bad angle goal to give the Canadiens a 3-2 lead.

Gomez's goal at the 18:12 mark was a save Fleury has to make but Bylsma and players in the locker room were trying to point the blame to system breakdowns and mistakes in the defensive zone.

Bylsma said in his post-game comments that the Penguins were too aggressive in the offensive zone, hence focus wasn't on their D-zone play and that players shouldn't be left off the hook for not doing their job.

"That (Gomez goal) shouldn't let other players off the hook, " Bylsma said. However, it's hard to fault the Penguins for trying to push the play in the third period.

The Penguins have suffered consecutive 3-2 defeats as the team travels to New Jersey for a Monday afternoon game.

The failure to close out games was a big concern for the Penguins last season and its going to remain a concern until Fleury starts coming up with timely saves at key moments and the Penguins starting finishing plays offensively.

Failing to capitalize on their scoring opportunities has been an issue through two games. Pittsburgh outshot Montreal 38-27, including a 13-7 advantage in the third period. One league observer I spoke with this morning believes this could become a long-term problem for the Penguins.