Penguins Swept In Playoffs; Reaction To Embarrassing Elimination

PITTSBURGH, PA - Two years ago, the Penguins were celebrating their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship. On Tuesday, they were left to ponder how they were swept in four games in the first round of the NHL Playoffs by the New York Islanders.

It was a stunning fall from grace for the Pens, who were eliminated in the second round last season by the Washington Capitals as the Caps were en route to claiming their own Cap.

Here’s what sports writers are saying about the Pens’ embarrassing elimination:

• Emily Kaplan and Chris Peters, ESPN: I”n the first-round playoff loss to the New York Islanders, the Penguins fell to a team with much less talent because they couldn't match the compete level. The stars, specifically Crosby and wingman Jake Guentzel, were stymied. It culminated with an unceremonious playoff exit and plenty of questions; could this be it for the Penguins' championship-winning core?”

• Bryan Compton, NHL.com: “The Islanders said all the right things afterwards; the Penguins threw everything at them, they played well, it wasn't a dominant performance over the course of the series. But despite its plethora of talent, Pittsburgh scored six goals in four games. Sidney Crosby did not have any of them.”

• Brett Cyrgalis, New York Post: “The Islanders did what they do best — locked things down. They stifled Sideny Crosby. Evgeni Malkin was a non-factor. Kris Letang looked lost. Maybe the Penguins are entering the twilight of their decade-long run.”

• Hooks Orpik, Pensburgh: “The Penguins had too many holes, but to be out of the playoffs in four games, scoring only six goals, it’s a head-spinning event. The playoffs just started six days ago. And now for Pittsburgh, they’re over just like that. Surely it will take some soul searching, changes and tough decisions to make it back.”

• Associated Press: “The Islanders trailed for less than five minutes across four games against the Penguins, whose 13th straight postseason appearance ended quietly. Pittsburgh managed just six goals in the series, including Jake Guentzel’s first of the postseason 35 seconds into the game.”