POINT SHOTS

With the Penguins essentially eliminated from playoff contention after losing in New Jersey and then Dallas, we need to see Sam Poulin and Vasili Ponomarev, pictured above, here in Pittsburgh first thing Monday morning. Jack St. Ivany should stay in the lineup, too. It’s past time to give it up and begin necessary evaluations for next season. I recognize that other moves will be required to do that. Maybe Jeff Carter goes on injured reserve or Jesse Puljujarvi heads back to Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton if he is not getting used here. Does Emil Bemstrom absolutely need to play? Could you scratch Reilly Smith or is there a worry that would further dent his trade value? Do whatever you have to do to get a real look at those prospects before sending them back to Wilkes-Barre to get the valuable experience of a postseason run.

ICYMI, team president Kyle Dubas recently said the door might not be closed on Carter returning next season. Carter is a potential Hall of Famer and revered in the room. But how exactly does that make the Penguins younger or faster?

So much for the silly claims outside Pittsburgh that Jake Guentzel was mostly a byproduct of Sidney Crosby’s excellence. He’s been outstanding so far for the Hurricanes. Meanwhile, Crosby clearly misses having Guentzel on his wing. He has just four goals and 11 points at even strength in 19 games sans Guentzel.

He has yet to boost their numbers, but Michael Bunting fills a clear void on the power play. Pittsburgh’s lack of an effective player in the bumper spot has been a bigger issue than the net front. His ability to make the occasional play and the threat of a one-timer there should open up the power play for everybody else.

The Penguins have far bigger issues than goaltending. Overall, Tristan Jarry has been an average NHL starter on the first year of his new contract. But when was the last time he stole a game for the Penguins? I can’t remember, either ...