Before the Christmas break I predicted the Penguins losing streak - which was six games at the time, would come to an end when Jeff Zatkoff and Simon Despres returned to the lineup.
Zatkoff returned on Dec. 19 and the Penguins finally won a few days later in Syracuse.
For last night's game in Hershey, both Despres and Zatkoff were in the lineup. Yet the PEnguins lost 2-0.
What gives?
Well, someone else is now missing due to an injury. Leading scorer Beau Bennett has missed the last three games, and the Penguins have lost two of them heading into tonight's rematch against the Bears.
Bennett's absence is extremely noticeable on the power play unit. Without him, the Penguins power play is a paltry 1-for-14.
Bennett is considered day-to-day. If he returns tonight, it could be the difference in a Penguins win.
By the way, the Penguins are 1-4-1 against the Bears this season and have dropped to fourth place in the East Division.