Mark Madden: Penguins' run of success looks to be over

The Pittsburgh Penguins were 3-8 before the pandemic caused the NHL to pause, 1-2 since.

The Penguins are 1-8 in their last nine playoff games.

The run is over. It’s just not a very good hockey team anymore.

The Penguins might well salvage their preliminary-round series against Montreal, though there’s absolutely zero evidence to suggest that. But what happens after?

There’s no diminishing what their core did: Three Stanley Cups is an amazing legacy. But now they’re fading like the Datsyuk/Lidstrom/Zetterberg version of Detroit, Doughty and Kopitar’s Los Angeles Kings and the Kane/Toews brand in Chicago — the Blackhawks’ current torture of still not-ready-for-prime-time Edmonton and Connor McJesus duly noted.

No team is good forever. The Penguins are proving that.

Wednesday’s 4-3 loss in Game 3 vs. Montreal was gutless and uninspired. The Penguins took their foot off the gas after seizing a 3-1 lead, getting outplayed and outworked by the tournament’s No. 24 (and bottom) seed.

This isn’t Boston, Tampa Bay or Washington opening the exit door. It’s a mostly rotten team that ditched assets at the trade deadline.

The Penguins’ dormant power play awoke to score two goals in 59 seconds during the first period. Otherwise, the Canadiens were clearly the better team. They controlled the ebb and flow. They often tactically overwhelmed the Penguins, allowing them little room or control.

To repeat: Montreal is the No. 24 seed. I predicted a Pittsburgh sweep. In fact, I said the Penguins would win in two. Who the heck thought this would happen?

So, how to fix it?

Given the prospects beyond this series, maybe that’s not such a good idea.

But goaltender Tristan Jarry simply must start Game 4 Friday.

Coach Mike Sullivan said forward Sam Lafferty earned a shot Wednesday with his performance at training camp. Shouldn’t the same apply to Jarry? Jarry outperformed Murray throughout camp. Jarry did the same during the regular season, too.

Perhaps Jarry’s puck skills could help contain Montreal’s speed. Make no mistake, the Canadiens are faster than the Penguins, once the league’s fastest team (but no more).

Murray didn’t stink up the joint Wednesday. But four goals are too many, and Jeff Petry’s winner from a terrible angle was a nightmare.

Murray hasn’t stolen a playoff game in years. Jarry starting provides a wake-up call.

The defensive pair of Jack Johnson and Justin Schultz is a disaster: minus-3 and minus-2 on Wednesday. But potential replacements Juuso Riikola and Chad Ruhwedel are no better. Johnson plays the penalty kill, Schultz the power play. Sullivan nonetheless should replace one or both. Sending that duo back out there is akin to rolling over and dying.

Patrick Marleau is rotten: minus-3 Wednesday and not remotely impactful since joining the Penguins. Scratch him. He’s not due any better. He’s somebody else’s legend.

Patrick Hornqvist is being wasted. His line never has the puck, so he can’t get to the blue paint. On the rare occasions the Penguins show a pulse, Hornqvist’s grit and net-front presence have been a factor. Maximize that by — finally! — using him on Sidney Crosby’s line. At the least, put Hornqvist with Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev, then go with mostly three lines.

Change provides no guarantees. But it might provide a jolt. One is desperately needed.

Even the good players are starting to reek: Rookie defenseman John Marino was a godsend in Games 1 and 2. He was a turnstile on Montreal’s game-tying goal Wednesday.

But scapegoating a few individuals doesn’t accurately reflect the situation’s dire nature.

The shortcomings of Johnson and Schultz are obvious, sure.

No less obvious is Evgeni Malkin having no goals in three games. He and Crosby combined for two points Wednesday (one assist each) and have totaled just four points on the series. Are Crosby (33 Friday) and Malkin (34) aging out?

There’s no diminishing the accomplishments of the two superstars. But can Malkin and Crosby still influence big situations, or are they now just regular-season point collectors?

If they’re going to prove the former, Friday would be an opportune time to start.

The Penguins are a stink sandwich. Every person involved has to take a bite. If Montreal eliminates the Penguins, it’s the most embarrassing playoff elimination in franchise history.