NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers - Source: Imagn — Sidney Crosby didn't expect boos from the crowd in loss to Avalanche. (Source: Imagn)

Sidney Crosby makes his feelings known about Penguins fans' boos during loss to Nathan MacKinnon's Avalanche

Modified Dec 11, 2024 12:00 GMT

Sidney Crosby was frustrated with Pittsburgh Penguins fans after the team's 6-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. After falling behind 3-0, the Penguins fought back in the second period, closing the gap to one goal. However, their power play struggled, leading to boos from the crowd at PPG Paints Arena.

Crosby, who played 18:40 minutes and had two shots on goal, didn’t like the reaction from fans.

“You wouldn’t know it tonight,” Sidney Crosby said about the boos (via The Athletic.) “Would you? I mean, getting booed on the power play (in the third period.)”

Both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Colorado Avalanche had 27 shots on goal. The Penguins won 61.8% of face-offs, while the Avalanche won 38.2%. Neither team scored on the power play, with the Penguins going 0/3 and the Avalanche 0/4.

Sidney Crosby felt that the team worked hard and deserved better.

“It did a little bit,” Crosby admitted. “I think there’s been some times this season when we deserved it. I don’t think tonight was one of them.”

Nathan MacKinnon had one goal and four assists, while Mikko Rantanen scored a hat-trick and added two assists. Crosby’s line and the team had difficulty against Colorado’s defense.

On defense, goaltender Tristan Jarry struggled, allowing five goals on 26 shots. The Penguins' power play also had issues, with Crosby’s unit not capitalizing on their chances.

“Maybe it’s a tie game in the third if we get one at some point," Crosby said. "You can’t make the mistakes we made against a team that’s as dangerous as them."

While there were positive moments, like goals from Cody Glass and Michael Bunting, the Penguins couldn't hold on. Rantanen’s hat-trick and MacKinnon’s performance sealed the win for Colorado.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan shared a different perspective than Sidney Crosby

The Penguins had won five of their last seven games before this loss, but the Avalanche overpowered them.

The Penguins have beat some of the League's strongest teams in their last seven-game stretch, which includes the Vancouver Caucks (5-4), Florida Panthers (5-4) and the Maple Leafs (5-2).

“I didn’t think we were as stiff on the puck,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said.

“I thought we hung onto pucks more in the offensive zone. I thought we could’ve controlled territory a little bit more and forced them to have to defend us a little bit more.”

With upcoming road games in Montreal Canadians and Ottawa Senators, Sidney Crosby and the Penguins need to improve quickly to stay in playoff contention.