Streaky Penguins seek consistency for playoff race

Their current losing streak has wiped out the gains from a recent winning ride.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins would like to find some consistency.
In a season that has included winning streaks of four and five games and losing skids of four games and (twice) five games -- all within the season's first 36 contests -- the Penguins realize that if they are to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff race, the peaks and valleys will have to even out.
"We don't have that same energy every night that we should," veteran winger Mark Recchi said. "It's hard when you have to play a lot of games in a short period of time, but even if you might not feel that great that day, you've still got to find a way to help the team. You have to dig down deep, and physically and mentally be willing to play."
Pittsburgh's December has been a perfect example of the roller-coaster season. The Penguins began the month with a four-game slide before rebounding by winning four in a row before the current five-game losing skid.
More streaks
That mirrors a stretch from earlier this season when the Penguins followed a five-game winning streak with a five-game losing streak.
It's easy to blame the fact that Pittsburgh is one of the youngest teams in the league, but 19-year-old center Sidney Crosby said he doesn't believe the ups and downs have been the result of inconsistency.
"We've just been lacking that big play to change a game recently," said Crosby, the league's scoring leader. "When we win games, it's usually because we get that go-ahead goal or tying goal or big save. It's just timing, and whatever it is, we need those big plays. Things have been inconsistent, and when we've made mistakes, unfortunately, the puck's in our net every time. We've got to get those big plays."
Lending credence to that argument was a 4-2 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers Wednesday in which the Penguins entered the third period down a goal but quickly tied it and went on to dominate the period, outshooting Atlanta 20-6 and generating several quality scoring chances.
Close calls
But Pittsburgh hit a post and a crossbar, Atlanta goalie Kari Lehtonen made a few big saves and the Thrashers converted on one of their rare chances in the period to earn the win.
"The margin of error is really small," coach Michel Therrien said. "It's as soon as you lose focus, even just a little bit. It seems like we have to be perfect, and it's tough to be perfect.
"This is all part of the process, and we know it's frustrating, but sometimes all you can do is work to get better. I know down the road eventually in those types of games, we'll win it."
Perhaps the Penguins' streaky play is as simple as whether Crosby is at the top of his game or not. The team is 0-8 this season when Crosby does not earn a point and is 0-28-1 when he does not have a goal or an assist in a game throughout his two-year career. He is in the midst of only the second two-game scoreless streak of the season.
"There's nothing wrong with facing adversity," Therrien said. "I know this team will get better. When you're facing adversity, you really have to pay attention to detail. Eventually, we will get through this and become a better team."
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