Throughout the past two weeks, the Penguins have routinely said they've liked how they've performed even if the results weren't there. Crosby now thinks they've reached a point where only results matter.
"I think you always want to take the things you're doing well, but at the end of the day, it's about winning games," Crosby said. "You can do that different ways. You want your game to be consistent. You want to have a good way to evaluate how you're playing, but I think sometimes there aren't numbers for finding ways to win.
"Good teams are able to do that. We have to do a better job of doing that consistently."
That lack of consistency has been especially prevalent on the defensive end. It was again Saturday, when the Penguins allowed two goals on three breakaways in a 4-2 home loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Casey DeSmith gave up three goals on 25 shots in that loss after winning his previous three starts in place of injured goalie Matt Murray (lower body). Backup goalie Tristan Jarry has started twice with Murray sidelined, surrendering two goals on 37 shots in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins on Nov. 23 and five on 25 shots in the loss to the Avalanche.
Murray is nearing a return after skating on his own before practice Monday, coach Mike Sullivan said.
The Penguins addressed their defense by acquiring defenseman Marcus Pettersson in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks for forward Daniel Sprong on Monday. A second-round pick (No. 38) by the Ducks in the 2014 NHL Draft, Pettersson has 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 49 NHL games.
In the meantime, defenseman Brian Dumoulin said the Penguins must help DeSmith and Jarry.
"I think we have to play with confidence," Dumoulin said. "When we don't, I think we play the worst. I think it's important for us to pick each other up, whether it's good things or bad things happening."
On the offensive end, Pittsburgh's lack of secondary scoring has mostly come from a third line that has yet to jell with Derick Brassard centering left wing Zach Aston-Reese and right wing Phil Kessel.
Brassard has six points (two goals, four assists) in 16 games. Kessel is on a six-game goal drought after scoring 10 in his first 19 games, mostly on the second line with center Evgeni Malkin.
After the loss Saturday, Sullivan said he would consider breaking up that line before keeping it intact during line rushes Monday. How Sullivan has approached the third line is no different than how he'll treat the other three, he said. When and if it becomes necessary, change will come.
"There's always a fine line," Sullivan said. "When's the right time to split up a line, or when's the right time to allow guys to stay together and work through things? I think that's the coaches' instinct based on what we see. We'll make decisions daily based on what we see. It's not like our coaching staff is hesitant to make change, because we've certainly made a fair amount."
