MONTREAL — Their exasperation was cast aside for energy. The desperation for a win was immediately obvious. Yet the Pittsburgh Penguins’ (14-11-9) effort was counterbalanced by mistakes, and despite good performances throughout the lineup, they were still beaten by the Montreal Canadiens, 4-0 at Bell Centre Saturday.

The Penguins are winless in eight games, going back to their improbable and controversial 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Dec. 4. Saturday’s defeat was yet another gutwrenching loss for a team that has lost games in every conceivable way, and some inconceivable ways, during the current streak.

Before the game, coach Dan Muse juggled the lines and defensive pairings. He achieved a spirited effort, but far from clean.

It was a wild, entertaining first period with no shortage of scoring chances and good plays from both the Penguins and Montreal. The ever-engaged Montreal crowd only served to heighten the already peaked emotions to a near-playoff atmosphere.

Penguins center Kevin Hayes had a pair of Grade A chances, first on an early breakaway and then on a deft play through a defender’s skates near the net. However, it was also Hayes’s tripping minor at 15:50 that spotted Montreal their first power play and goal.

The struggling Penguins’ penalty-killing unit lost its bearings as defenseman Erik Karlsson couldn’t clear the puck from the left wall. The PK didn’t fill in the slot, but former first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky smoked a quick wrister past goalie Stuart Skinner at 16:41.

Nearly two minutes later, the already frenzied Montreal denizens exploded as Penguins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon stumbled at the defensive blue line, opening a lane for fourth-line center Owen Beck to race into the offensive zone. At full speed, Beck (1) sniped a top-shelf wrister past Skinner at 18:49 of the first period.

It was the 21-year-old Beck’s first NHL goal.

While the first period was a bit of a spectacle, the Penguins’ energy was, to their detriment, matched by their 11 giveaways.

The Penguins maintained energy and their errant puck distribution through the second period. With more so-close but heartbreaking chances being gobbled up by rookie goalie Jacob Fowler, who made his NHL debut against the Penguins on Dec. 11, and oh so close moments that just missed, the deficit grew.

Fowler was again brilliant.

On a later second period power play, Penguins winger Bryan Rust’s centering pass missed Sidney Crosby but sprung Montreal penalty killer Josh Anderson on a breakaway.

Anderson beat Skinner low glove side for a shorthanded goal and a 3-0 lead at 12:14 of the second.

While Montreal fans razzed Skinner, they were also brought to thunderous chants by several Fowler saves.

The good news for the Penguins is that their chronic illness of losing leads appears to have been cured by the eviceration therapy of being outclassed.

It was not a low-event game, though the score sheet showed the shots just 16-13 for Montreal after 40 minutes. According to NaturalStatTrick.com, the teams combined for 39 scoring chances through two periods, with a slight Montreal edge, 20-19.

In short, Montreal hit the net. The Penguins hit the glass. Or the goalie.

Muse pulled Skinner with about seven minutes remaining, leading to a frenzied attack, but Josh Anderson’s empty net goal at 17:02.

Skinner stopped 17 of 20 shots. Fowler made 30 saves for the shutout win. The Penguins’ scoreless streak is now 120:13.

Penguins Notes

Muse changed the lines and defensive pairings Saturday, not for specific reasons, but to simply inject a feeling of change: “So, try something new. If it clicks and works, stick with it.”

The game concluded the annual two-game Penguins Dad’s trip.

Crosby long claimed Montreal as his hometown team, and his father was a 1984 Canadiens draft pick (12th round, 240th overall). However, he remains one point shy of tying Mario Lemieux for most points in franchise history. Crosby has just one assist in the last four games.

Penguins Lines

Tommy Novak-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Anthony Mantha-Rickard Rakell-Justin Brazeau

Rutger McGroarty-Ben Kindel-Ville Koivunen

Connor Dewar-Kevin Hayes-Noel Acciari

Defense

Parker Wotherspoon-Erik Karlsson

Brett Kulak-Kris Letang

Ryan Shea-Connor Clifton

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