Well, you can’t win them all I suppose.

The Penguins certainly had their chances against the Devils on Saturday night, but just couldn’t get a bounce to go their way in a 4-1 loss.

The Pens even dominated the first half of the opening frame by not allowing the Devils to get a shot on net.

Then, Mark Fraser throws one at Marc-Andre Fleury that pops up in the air and tips off his glove and into the net while he was trying to catch it.

Plays like that are what sank the Pens. Fatigue may also have played a minor role being the second game in as many night, but the Devils got every bounce in the game. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.

I would just like to point out that Dan Bylsma used my line combinations for the defense last night too, at least to start the game. It’s no secret that he likes to shuffle the lines throughout the game and last night was no different.

There were times last night that I had no idea who would be coming on the ice. I’m sure part of it was trying to find something that would sustain pressure on the Devils in their zone, but the other thing I like about Bylsma is that he’s fully aware of who is on the ice for the opposing team.

He has full confidence in every player on the bench and sends out the proper players in every situation. Games can be won and lost on the bench and I can’t recall any being lost on the bench under Bylsma.

Alex Goligoski looked much more comfortable and may very well have been the best Penguin on the ice. He had several good chances in the game and scored the lone goal on a rebound. I still can't believe how fast and smooth he is when he's rushing up ice.

Anyway, the powerplay is still a weak point in the Penguins game. With the talent on the ice, it’s mind boggling.

One thing I noticed in the third period on the powerplay. With the Devils dropping back into that always exciting trap, the Pens weren’t chipping pucks to the corners and retrieving them.

The Devils were practically standing flat-footed waiting for the Pens to skate the puck into the zone and pull up along the nearside boards.

The Pens also got away from their game and allowed two Devils to overwhelm one player and take the puck away for easy clears down the ice.

I think the biggest problem with the powerplay, even with Sergei Gonchar, is that they look for the pretty play as opposed to getting the puck to the net and scoring the dirty goals.

Often times this season, it has looked like one extra pass has been the result of a failed powerplay. With guys like, Jordan Staal, Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz parking themselves near the paint, there is no excuse for not getting the puck on net. Crashing the net after an initial shot is also key. If the initial shot doesn’t go in and there’s a rebound, there is a decent chance that if they are crashing, the puck will end up in the net.

It’s a simple strategy, but sometimes simpler is better.

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