Damn, the Pens just can't catch a break with all these injuries. However, going back to last season this team has continued to blow 3rd period leads. Any pens fan that watches all their games could see that one coming in the 3rd, it was just a matter of time. No lead is safe with this team. I get all the injuries as a possible excuse but its still a major issue with this team. They have let way too many teams come back on them in the 3rd and you know the opposition is thinking "we can come back on the penguins, if we keep the pressure up and take it to them they will fold like a cheap tent" On the other hand, the pens first 3rd period comeback win in over a year was just a few days ago. I'm not smart enough to pinpoint the reason, but this is obviously not a desirable character trait for a team with championship hopes. I can cut them some slack on not having more comebacks due to the injuries but they have to put teams away when they have the chance regardless of who is in the lineup. It's happened too often to just be a run of bad luck but I have no idea if its strategy, coaching, fatigue, lack of focus, mental mistakes or what but whatever the problem is, if they don't get it fixed its gonna cost them dearly in the playoffs. Flyers still suck

Next Man Up! That is the Pens Motto.
To go to the west coast and pick up a point against a pretty good team is not the end of the world in early November. Games like that are a "win" if you get the tie and bring back one point. No need to panic or start the "but if's...." yet.
However as the previous blogger points out and I agree with: need to find a way to close every night. I am just thinking out loud here, and I know it is not April, but there have been a few (not a lot) games this year where the Pens jump out to an early lead and look dominating for about 1.5 to 2 periods and then can't close the deal. Last night was a great example. When they start winning games like what was presented to them last night, then I think they are championship ready with or without Crosby et al. Bylsma's system needs tweaked, in my opinion, to adjust to a 3-1 lead in the middle of the 2nd period. Need to have some shut down defensive "schemes" or formats or whatever to protect the lead. It is like milking the clock in football when you have a big league and playing "bend dont break" defense.
Just thinking out loud.
GO PENS!

Nothing against Picard, but not sure why Burtuzzo didn't get called up first. He has been great the last 2 years in WB.

This sucks even more because this just means Martin will continue to get that much ice team and/or possibly more... he was a -3 last night and -7 on the year. I don't care if he is matching up against the top players of other teams, he hasn't been able to stop them.