Penguins' Carolina woes continue, fall to Hurricanes on road for 8th straight time

Andrew Destin, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Jan 5, 2025

Published in Hockey

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Had Sunday evening’s contest lasted just 20 minutes, the Pittsburgh Penguins would have smoothly sailed to snapping a losing streak.

Instead, the Penguins will have to wait another season to see if they can win a regular-season game in Raleigh, N.C. For the eighth straight time, the Penguins fell to the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center, this time by a 4-3 margin in overtime. The last time the Penguins beat the Hurricanes on their home ice was Dec. 22, 2018.

Initially, the Penguins appeared to be on the verge of eradicating their rotten losing streak. Kevin Hayes poured in a goal less than four minutes into regulation off the rush, and Michael Bunting added another just more than a minute later. It marked the first time this season the Penguins have scored two goals in the game’s first six minutes, and they controlled play the rest of the opening period.

But as they typically do against the Penguins, one of the Metropolitan division’s best stormed back. The Hurricanes tallied all three of their regulation goals in the second period, two courtesy of Seth Jarvis that sandwiched Jalen Chatfield’s off the rush midway through the frame.

Facing a one-goal deficit entering the final period, Erik Karlsson ensured the Penguins would get at least a loser’s point with his fourth goal of the season. Karlsson went top shelf on journeyman netminder and former Penguin Dustin Tokarski to even the tally, and ultimately send the contest into overtime.

Rather than tack on an additional point, however, the Penguins had to settle for just one. Carolina’s Sebastian Aho scored to cement the Penguins’ second consecutive non-regulation loss, as well as fourth defeat in five games post-Christmas break.

Karlsson in control

For as often as Karlsson struggled the first two months of the seasons, he’s come into his own the last month and change. The three-time Norris trophy winner has 12 points during his past 15 games, including his goal and assist during Sunday night’s game.

Karlsson has also compiled a plus-5 rating during that stretch, although that figure is perhaps better than it should be. Per Natural Stat Trick, Karlsson has a 47.32 expected-goals share dating back to the beginning of December.

It’s in the offensive end, however, where Karlsson has been the most impactful and particularly decisive. His assist on Bunting’s goal was the latest example of as much, as Karlsson’s outstanding individual effort created ample space in the slot for the Penguins forward.

With Kris Letang back on the scene, the Penguins’ defensive core is not only back to full strength, but inching closer to its potential.

Tough luck Tomasino

The injury Philip Tomasino suffered during Friday night’s shootout loss to the Florida Panthers turned out to be quite serious. Tomasino, who took an awkward tumble into the boards, was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 3 with a lower-body injury, and will be sidelined on a week-to-week basis.

It’s a significant blow for the Penguins, considering the team’s success since acquiring Tomasino from the Nashville Predators in late November and his individual performance. Across 16 games with the Penguins, Tomasino has racked up four goals and three assists while the team has gone 9-5-2.

With Tomasino sidelined, the Penguins’ forward depth will be challenged, especially considering how fickle their bottom six scoring has been in recent weeks. Not to mention, Tomasino had become a regular on the Penguins’ second power-play unit, meaning Drew O’Connor has picked up the slack in the interim.

Although Tomasino isn’t the most integral forward to the Penguins’ play, his addition has been a welcomed one.

Ice chips

— Letang was activated from injured reserve and returned to the Penguins’ lineup after a three-game absence. Ryan Graves became a healthy scratch to clear room for Letang, who partnered with Marcus Pettersson.

— Jesse Puljujarvi and Ryan Shea were the Penguins’ other healthy scratches.

— With Tomasino sidelined, wing Anthony Beauvillier returned to the Penguins’ lineup after sitting out Friday’s game. Beauvillier appeared in each of the Penguins’ first 39 games of the season, and skated on the third line.

Coming up

The Penguins are off Monday following their road trip to commence 2025. They’ll be back in action Tuesday night, as the Penguins will host the Columbus Blue Jackets to start a five-game homestand.

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