Declan Carlile got his wires crossed last night, and the Pittsburgh Penguins paid for it against the Detroit Red Wings.
The defenseman finished Tuesday's preseason game with 14 penalty minutes in a 7-4 loss at home. Not the September line anyone wants attached to his name.
What set it off? Even the Red Wings crowd online couldn't find a reason, and they were enjoying every second of it.
The target was Wilmer Skoog, who'd already been a problem for Pittsburgh. The Detroit forward went for a goal and an assist with three shots and a +1.
In the clip, Carlile goes straight after Skoog, and Detroit walks away with a four-minute power play for his trouble.
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It was a dumb penalty. Preseason is a job interview in front of Dan Muse, and this was like spilling coffee on the interviewer's shirt.
Dan Muse leaves Arturs Silovs in for all seven Detroit goals
The discipline issue wasn't the only thing wrong in Pittsburgh. Arturs Silovs played the full 60 minutes and stopped 16 of 23 shots.
Muse never made the switch. Taylor Gauthier dressed as the backup and didn't see a second of ice.
Detroit had no such worry in the crease. John Gibson turned aside 22 of 24 over 40 minutes, and Trey Augustine closed it out for the win.
The Red Wings only cashed in once on the power play. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard had it, part of a two-goal night.
Anton Johansson ran the show from the back end with four assists. Theo Rochette chipped in two helpers, one of them on the man advantage.
Pittsburgh did find one bright spot while shorthanded. Nicholas Robertson scored on the penalty kill and added an assist.
Rutger McGroarty and Rickard Rakell also found the net for the Penguins. Kaedan Korczak chipped in a goal and an assist while logging 23:05.
Sidney Crosby put three shots on goal and still left without a point. Evgeni Malkin finished minus-2.
Carlile logged 12:44 and didn't put a single puck on net. His night had far more box time than production.
Muse and Kyle Dubas get another look Thursday when the Penguins visit Columbus. The Red Wings host Buffalo the same night.
Will Carlile's name be on the lineup card in Columbus? Coaches remember a September moment like this, especially the ones who have to trust you in a one-goal game come spring.
Should Dan Muse scratch Declan Carlile for Thursday's game in Columbus?
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