The Penguins surrendering third period leads is unlikely to go away this season. That’s just something built in them and with the lackadaisical defensive play for stretches and system deficiencies, it’s going to be a trend that will likely continue with this group where they have moments that they can’t put together a full 60-minute game. That’s just whom they’ve been for a while now.

Still, Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss was another step in the right direction of how the Penguins are carrying play. Last three games Pittsburgh @ 5 vs 5 has a high danger for% of 69%, 56%, 71%; The previous three games before Pittsburgh’s current three game points streak; 23%, 35%, 44%. Across the board there’s been marketable improvement in creating more chances than giving up.

This isn’t just because of offense, offense. Better systematic defensive play, structure over the last three games where the Penguins have buttoned things up has played a major part.

What you’re watching the next two games against Carolina and Washington isn’t whether the Penguins win or lose the next two, but do they hold up. When the Penguins have run into any good to great team this season, they’ve gotten run out of the building in almost every game from the standpoint of just being overwhelmed 5 vs 5. Over the last three games the Penguins have tightened some things up in the neutral zone and have made attempts to play a more defend the middle of the slot down low than pressure, pressure, and we’ll see if there’s any different outcome (in level of play) against the 9-2 Carolina Hurricanes whom on Oct 18th just steamrolled the Penguins in all three phases. That night looked like the Penguins sending an AHL team out on the ice.

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MORE BUZZ

Tristan Jarry not having some dominant nights in Wilkes Barre would have been quite concerning. For his part Jarry has answered the call with a 4-0 record and .946 SV%. Now we’ll find out how he handles the pressure when he makes his first back in the NHL as a lot of Jarry’s issues the team believes has been between the ears. And the Penguins would be wise to start him on the road…………..The Penguins and Tristan Jarry’s reps at Newport Sports, led by super agent Craig Oster, have held significant discussions of what the future is going to look like. There was a point during the week Pittsburgh took Jarry out of the lineup that the two sides were going to push forward with allowing To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

Jesse Puljujarvi prior to getting back into the lineup Tuesday night and played well with a primary assist on Michael Bunting’s third period goal, was linked to St. Louis and To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!. Some around the league thought he had a chance to being moved over this past weekend……..The buzz is Pittsburgh’s top graded defenseman internally through 13 games is………..To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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Prospects Buzz: A team source jokingly says the Penguins front office is walking around like Mike Tomlin these days with his Russell Wilson decision in how ecstatic they are with what they’ve seen from Ville Koivunen. Others didn’t see it this way but as mentioned here in the morning after the Jake Guentzel trade, the Penguins viewed Koivunen as the critical piece of the trade and a ceiling of a top-end prospect. Koivunen is possibly even exceeding early expectations with how well he’s creating 1-on-1 offense. Great poise and smarts with the puck and gets to the right areas where he’s tracking being NHL-ready very soon………..Early Hextall Draft Hits? The organization’s opinion has drastically changed on Owen Pickering over the last couple months. They legit now view him as having a #2 second pairing ceiling. Another prospect that is said to be playing well above their expectations and really dating back to last year in the evaluation process is 2021 2nd round pick Tristan Broz who has 4 goals and 2 assists in nine games. Sense in the organization is the Hextall regime likely definitely hit on Pickering in the 2022 first round but also possibly on Broz in Round 2 of the 2021 draft. He continues to look like a future bottom-6 NHL player…………McGroarty Buzz: Rutger McGroarty just 1 assist in seven games and struggling to create individual offense. Indications are McGroarty is in the middle of a learning curve to be a presence in the tough areas as the team feels he needs to get stronger. What the Penguins have worked with him is getting more shot opportunities. 4 SOG in Wednesday’s win. [/hide]

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