The Penguins’ 5-2 loss Sunday to lowly Detroit shouldn’t have been a complete surprise to anyone who has paid attention in recent weeks. They have a 3-1-3 record over their last seven games. That may sound good, but it really isn’t because they faced only two playoff teams and three of the NHL’s four worst teams.
Most teams would love to earn nine points over seven games, but the Penguins aren’t most teams. They are championship contenders, and they should fare better against those opponents. Injuries have been a factor, but they just looked like mentally and physically fatigued against the Red Wings.