There are plenty of issues to point at in identifying the reasons the Penguins will likely miss the postseason for the first time since Sidney Crosby's rookie season.
Chief among them is the construction of the roster and the fact it wasn't strong enough to supplement completely healthy and productive seasons from Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. However, their inability to consistently convert quality offensive chances into goals has become a rather large problem dating back to last season, and that goes beyond this team's lack of depth.
In a game they couldn't afford to lose against an inferior opponent and below-average goalie, the Penguins' finishing struggles were glaring as the tanking Blackhawks beat them, 5-2, on Tuesday night here at PPG Paints Arena.