The Pittsburgh Penguins are digging themselves into a deeper hole game after game. Even with franchise pieces Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin playing out of their minds, the team can’t find a way out of the league’s basement.

The mark of inconsistency doomed the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again in their 4-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday. And, despite controlling large portions of play yet again, their defense let them down.

Marcus Pettersson landing on injured reserve forced the Pittsburgh Penguins to do some tinkering on the blue line. Pettersson had been Erik Karlsson’s defensive partner since Karlsson debuted with the Penguins last season.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were one of the hottest teams ... the Penguins are willing to make a trade involving superstar defenseman Erik Karlsson. “That’s someone they want and need to move ...

Even if the Penguins go on an outrageous hot streak, I still fully anticipate Dubas to sell at the deadline. He knows what he has to do. He’s not in this to grab the second wild card and lose in the first round. Dubas’ vision is much more grand than that. The problem is that fans might need to find some patience.

Elite defensive statistics should not be expected of teams that lead the league in goals allowed per game. The Pittsburgh Penguins owned that unfortunate distinction through 49 contests, giving up 3.59 goals per contest.

A source close to the Penguins has informed @TheRGMedia that Kyle Dubas is looking for a fire sale. Big name veterans, not simply just pending free agents, are up on the trade block and the Penguins are also willing to retain to move out Erik Karlsson. More on this below: https://t.co/uxHpnheLs5

Unfortunately for Penguins fans, a fire sale might be the best way to go. They've missed the playoffs the past two years, and this season, they're on the outside looking in. Recent moves by general manager Kyle Dubas also haven't worked out.

Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas denied speculation about a fire sale, but how many of their top players could be traded?

A nothing sort of play became a goal against after two, if not three, Pittsburgh Penguins (20-23-8) went to the wrong spots. A 2-1 game within reach became another meandering Penguins loss. For the second time in two weeks, the Seattle Kraken got the important third-period goals, beating the Penguins 4-1 at Climate Pledge Arena.

Mason McTavish and Alex Killorn each scored twice and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 on Thursday night. Frank Vatrano also scored and Troy Terry and Jacob Trouba each had a pair of assists as the Ducks snapped a four-game winless streak.

The Penguins fail to stay hot in California, getting outclassed in a 5-1 loss against the Ducks in Anaheim on Thursday.