PITTSBURGH — Dan Muse was in disbelief on Sunday.
Just a day earlier, the Pittsburgh Penguins coach watched his team let a four-goal lead slip away in the final minutes, losing 6-5 in overtime to the San Jose Sharks. So, the last thing he expected was to be facing a similar situation again.
But there he was, sitting at the podium after the Penguins (14-8-9) lost a 3-0 lead and fell 5-4 in overtime to the Utah Mammoth at PPG Paints Arena. In their last five games, they’ve let leads disappear in the third period four times (0-1-4), and they’ve now lost eight games this season after being ahead in the third. When a game reaches overtime, their record stands at a disappointing 1-9.
“I probably sound like a broken record,” Muse said. “It’s been a little different each time.”
And he has a point. Just a week ago, the Penguins were ahead 2-1 against the Dallas Stars until Miro Heiskanen tied it up late in the third. The Stars eventually won in a shootout. Then, against the Anaheim Ducks, another late-game mishap cost the Penguins a win when Erik Karlsson accidentally deflected the puck into his own net just before the end of regulation, leading to another loss in a shootout.
“We all know the consequences of these games,” Karlsson reflected. “But we can’t let fear of what might happen control us. We need to focus on the moment.”
He’s right. According to a recent study by the NHL, teams that consistently fail to maintain leads struggle with team morale and performance. It shows just how crucial it is for teams like the Penguins to stay composed and focused during critical moments. Home games are especially challenging, as the pressure from fans can weigh heavily on players.
Moving forward, the Penguins have to recapture their winning mindset. As Karlsson noted, they’ve proven they can compete with anyone when they play their game. The historical context here isn’t lost; in the past, teams that managed to bounce back from similar situations often found renewed strength, illustrating the importance of resilience in sports.
