Penguins' Sullivan concerned about shots against

There will be no panic in the Pittsburgh Penguins, who lost for the first time in regulation in nearly three weeks Thursday night versus the Minnesota Wild.

But their failure to collect a point for just the third time in 14 games this season was cause for addressing concerns bubbling below the surface of an outwardly rock-solid start to their title defense.

The Penguins allowed 41 shots in the loss, reverting back to their early-season form where they allowed at least 30 shots through their first six games. They tightened up a bit after that and after Sidney Crosby returned to the lineup, but still rank third last in average shots against - conceding only fractionally fewer looks than the last-place Arizona Coyotes.

"Yeah, it is a concern," coach Mike Sullivan said after the game, according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I think it's hard to win consistently in this league if you're giving up 40-plus shots a game.

"I don't think that's the type of game that we're trying to play, as far as trying to dictate the terms out there. We need to be better."

If anything, the loss presents Sullivan's staff with a teachable moment, and an opportunity to drive home the message that was perhaps lost on the players as the club continued to win despite their inefficiencies.

Pittsburgh was guilty of carelessly trading chances with the upstart Edmonton Oilers in their last start, but wound up winning the game on a late goal from Conor Sheary.