Penguins Finally Return to Earth in Loss to Flyers

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

(To satisfy your curiosity, the 1975-76 Canadiens are the only team to finish a season without surrendering a single shorty.)

For likely playoff teams at this stage of the year, though, a loss isn't a total loss if a team can ingrain a key lesson to be applied in the "second season." With the Pens and Flyers aligned for another postseason collision if they continue to play winning hockey, a matchup like Sunday's can serve as a exploratory mission instead of the usual impassioned tussle.

Providing there is another Battle of Pennsylvania this spring, it's certain the Penguins will do their best to stay out of the penalty box, thus making a potential playoff series a predominantly even-strength affair.

As for the business at hand, the Pens' schedule slows down over the next two weeks, featuring only four games following an extended stretch of 18 in 36 days. The sudden abundance of downtime and practice could serve to rejuvenate the club, provided the coaches and players don't get too antsy watching their conference brethren catch up to them, both in terms of points and games played.

Upon further review, maybe the disgust roused by falling to a division rival will fill some of the Penguins' upcoming free time quite nicely.

Whether it idly festers or actively inspires is up to them.

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