Penguins clawed by Panthers. Lose Pivotal Game.

The Penguins were really hoping for a win here after dropping their last game to the Whalers. Two losses in a row hurts, especially when one is against a team you're neck and neck with in the playoff race. Here's the game recap;

In the 1st period, the Panthers opened the scoring at 3:14 when Messier scored his 36th of the season from Hawerchuk and Chelios. Then, at 15:14, Wilson made it 2-0 when he potted his 31st goal of the season from Hawerchuk. The. Shortly after, the Panthers kept rolling as Thelven scored his 8th of the season to make it 3-0 with Czerkawski getting the assist. The Penguins entered the 2nd trailing 3-0. 

In the 2nd period, the Penguins finally got on the scoreboard at 1:10 when Joseph scored his 6th of the season from Foligno and Kovalev. Then, at 6:11, the Penguins made it 3-2 when Finley scored his 14th of the season. That would be all the scoring in the 2nd period and the Penguins entered the 3rd trailing 3-2. 

In the 3rd period, the Panthers made it 4-2 at 8:58 when Hodge scored his 26th of the season from Numminen and Andersson. Then, at 14:37, the Panthers made it 5-2 when Thelven scored his 2nd of the game with a powerplay goal from Czerkawski and Belfour. 12 seconds later, the Panthers struck again when Sandstrom scored his 13th of the season with a powerplay goal from Wilson and Numminen. 

6-2 would be the final in this disappointing loss for the Penguins. Next up, the Penguins will play the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto.