Ice Cold

It's a streak that would make their namesake proud.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost five straight, eight of 11, and 11 of 15. They've scored four goals or more just four times since Dec. 1. They haven't scored three goals or more since before Christmas.

And they lost last night to the New York Rangers 4-0.

Yes, the Igloo is extra cold these days. Everywhere except in Michel Therrien's office.

The head coach, now beleaguered, must take responsibility for much of his team's slide, but let's not forget individual performances, either.

Sidney Crosby (16 points in 17 games since Dec. 1) started December in typical Crosby fashion before sliding. His last nine games have produced four points, as opponents have made the sledding very tough for Sid the Kid. Add to that an apparent snipe at his leadership capabilities from Coach Therrien (a charge the coach denies), and it's been a rough few weeks for the Pens' captain.

It doesn't all fall on No. 87, though. Jordan Staal (10 points since Dec. 1) hasn't registered a point in seven games. Petr Sykora (2 points in his last 8 games) hasn't been much better, although his overall output has kept pace with the captain (16 points since Dec. 1)

Pass the disappointment for Miro Satan as well (8 points since Dec. 1; see also Dupuis, Pascal, also with 8 points in the same span). Hell, Satan has been outscored by Ruslan Fedotenko (12 points, including three in his last four games). When Ruslan Fedotenko is a more reliable forward than Miro Satan, it's a clear sign that the offense is falling on hard times.

And while Evgeni Malkin (21 points since Dec. 1) kept putting up big numbers in losing efforts early in the month, two points (both assists) in his last seven games suggest that the league's leading scorer is part of the problem as well.

Ah, but one can't forget the goaltending. Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed 18 goals in his last four starts, which is a problem because he's started all but one game since Dec. 18,when he made his first start since returning from injury. He has allowed 33 goals in nine games in that span for a 3.67 GAA. Of course, that's not to exonerate Dany Sabourin, whose 25 goals in eight games (3.57 GAA) helped to kick off the current slide.

And if the goaltending is to blame, the defense must deserve a beating as well. Fleury is by no means a bad goalie, but when the defense is allowing 30 shots a game (which they are, since Dec. 1), surely the backstops are doing more than their fair share to keep the game close. That, and a PK firing at a 77.3 percent success rate, spells a lengthy slump.

The Pens get a break tonight in the Atlanta Thrashers, just the team Pittsburgh needs to play to get some confidence back. In any case, Therrien's shot at the team's leadership (like it or not, Michel, that means Crosby whether you admit it or not) likely marks the beginning of the end of his tenure at the helm. Whether Therrien is fired now or later depends on whether the team can turn it around, but one has to think that Mario Lemieux can't be pleased with having his judgment questioned in a private meeting that leaked to the media. Remember, it was Super Mario that named Crosby captain in the first place. And if Therrien can't get the Pens back to the conference finals minimum, Lemieux will have all the reason he needs to send the current coach packing