Things came crashing down for the Penguins last night.

Already missing key players to injury, they lost defenseman Kris Letang in the first period. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury gave up three goals in less than 22 minutes before getting pulled. Center and captain Sidney Crosby was held without a point for the fourth game in a row. The power play was 0-for-4, extending its drought to 0-for 21 over five games.

When it was over, the Penguins ended their West Coast swing with a 5-0 loss to goaltender Evgeni Nabokov and the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion.

Coach Dan Bylsma had no report on Letang, who was favoring his right arm or shoulder and could join defensemen Sergei Gonchar (wrist) and forwards Evgeni Malkin (shoulder), Tyler Kennedy (groin) and Max Talbot (shoulder) among those who are out.

The Penguins were asked to single out a player, be it a teammate or opponent, who is (or was) particularly adept at the phase of the game often associated with themselves. Their responses:

Crosby (backhand): I would say Wayne Gretzky and Paul Kariya, probably because they worked on it and used it to their advantage. Gretzky was obviously Gretzky and was dangerous a lot of different ways, but Kariya, he’s a guy I remember from when I was growing up was one who started using that more than most guys. He was taking backhands from way farther out than most guys, and scoring on them, too. He’s always had a dangerous shot.”

http://www.post-gazette.com/

With a minor infraction here, a fighting major there, Penguins center and captain Sidney Crosby went into the game last night as the surprising team leader in penalty minutes. He had 29, followed by linemate Chris Kunitz (25), rugged forward Mike Rupp (24) and defenseman Jay McKee (23).

“I’ve probably been guilty of getting a few slashes or tripping, things like that, things that just come from battling for the puck,” Crosby said. “It’s not something that I’m looking for. It just kind of worked out that way to start.”

http://www.post-gazette.com/