Why is it NHL teams take their foot off the gas when they have a lead?
The Vancouver Canucks held a 6-3 lead in the third period over the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night.
They promptly surrendered the final five goals of the game and lost, 8-6.
“I know our team was feeling pretty good about ourselves. … I thought we made a couple individual mistakes that we would like to have back,” Canucks head coach Travis Green said after the collapse.
Evgeni Malkin struck twice and added three assists in the win.
“I’m just feeling it,” Malkin said. “Coach [Mike Sullivan] gave me time. I play all three zones. Face-off. I play power play. Confidence is like huge right now.”
Matt Murray got the start for the Pens, but was given the hook after giving up four goals on 14 shots.
Tristan Jarry made six saves in 21 minutes of relief.
J.T. Miller and Adam Gaudette had two goals each in the loss.
“We were definitely feeling good about ourselves,” Gaudette said. “It’s not like anybody let up. I think everybody gave it their all. It’s just that sometimes you have to take a breath, breathe a bit and get back to it.”
Jake Virtanen and Elias Pettersson had single markers for the Canucks.
Kris Letang picked up the game-winner for the Pens with just just over three minutes left on the clock.
Jake Guentzel also had two goals for the Pens and he added two assists to his night as well.
“We love our resilience that this groups shows. It’s just a never-say-day attitude,” Pens head coach Mike Sullivan said.
Bryan Rust, Dominik Kahun and Zach Aston-Reese also scored for Pittsburgh.
[WATCH: All Canucks vs. Penguins highlights]
Thatcher Demko made 32 saves in the loss.
“We should’ve won,” Demko said. “There’s not much to it. Have to find a way to make a couple stops there in the third. Had a slow start. Good to get back in the game. Have to find a way to win.”
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