AP Photo/Keith Srakocic
While things are getting pretty bad for the Washington Capitals, having lost their sixth-straight game Thursday night against the worst team in the league, it could be argued that the situation in Pittsburgh is just as bad, if not worse. In fact, Penguins fans have seen enough. At least enough of Penguins general manager Ron Hextall.
Fans began chanting “Fire Hextall” during Thursday night’s game between the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Chants began to rain down after Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored to give the Oilers a 6-1 lead in the second period.
#FireHextall Chants at PPG Paints Arena… one the worst games I’ve ever been to. #LetsGoPens #Pens pic.twitter.com/yHUdKVBKyo
— Did the Pens Win? (@DidPengWin) February 24, 2023
Boos were also heard for much of the night as the Oilers continued to dominate the Penguins, ultimately winning, 7-2.
FIRE HEXTALL pic.twitter.com/IQ3nmz1RsF
— J🍩ey Bag 🍩f D🍩nuts 🍩 (@joeybagovdonuts) February 24, 2023
While the Penguins remain one standings point ahead of the Capitals for 5th place in the Metropolitan Division, the two former divisional power houses are struggling mightily, and at a crucial part of the season. The Penguins have lost four straight games and are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. The Capitals are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games.
At least in Washington, there are no public outcries for Capitals’ GM Brian MacLellan’s job. Not yet at least.
Amazing how these two teams have fallen apart at the exact same time. It was a good run.
Our franchises seem to be joined at the hip
1990s: We were good, they were good, though they won two cups
2000s: They rebuilt, two years later, we rebuilt
Mid-2000s: We get Ovechkin, they get Crosby
2010s: They win cups, we win a cup
2020s: Their window closes, ours closes
As long as they don’t get Bedard. The hockey gods owe us a few
Somehow reassuring to be disintegrating along with our Bird Rivals. It was awesome hockey while it lasted.
The symmetry is amazing.
No doubt. First one to the bottom win!
Man Pittsburgh is ruthless
Instead of Hextall,fire Sullivan! He was nothing coach with Bruins, but goes into Pittsburg & all of a sudden he’s “cup winning genius”!! No you can only run on your star players reputations for so long & now that thier getting long in the tooth he can’t compete !! Caps should look @ this cause it’s going to be them in less than few months!
The story of the Penguins and Capitals during the Ovechkin and Crosby era is worth a long form doc. They really did a good job of elevating the game in the north east as well as across the hockey world. The tough part is watching it wind down.