Sept 25 vs Blue Jackets

I went to a fight and a hockey game didn't break out.
Penguins- 3
Pascal Dupuis (Asham) 2-16:48
Evgeni Malkin (Hutchinson, Tangradi) 3-2:47
Arron Asham (Jeffrey, Kennedy) 3-17:17
Blue Jackets- 1
Michael Ratchuk (Brassard) 1-12:03
RECAP
WWE isn't scheduled to come to Pittsburgh until December, but if you watched tonight's game it would be hard to tell the difference. The Pens and CBJ racked up a total of of 74 PIMs, with 5 fights breaking out throughout the game. Kris Letang lead the way in that category, first dropping the gloves with Matt Calvert and then later in the game with Jakub Voracek.
Letang was not the only one engaging in fisticuffs, as pro-enforcer Eric Godard and scrappy WBS forward Tim Wallace also dropped the gloves.

This all lead up to the final and most interesting fight of the night, which featured Malkin dropping the gloves with Columbus star forward Rick Nash near the end of the third period. As for the whole "hockey game" thing, Asham lead the way with a goal and an assist, now really showing that he may have some offensive upside. Malkin and Dupuis also found the twine for the Pens, while Michael Ratchuk scored the lone tally for the Jackets. Fleury had a good game as well, allowing just 1 goal in 33 shots.

3 Big Points

-Yes Letang had 2 fights, but he also had 2 minors as well. Add these to the other 6 committed by the team and you have the math for a potential recurring problem. I sure hope either the Pens settle it down a bit once the reg season starts or the PK is up to the task.

-Why is Malkin fighting in the preseason? Can anybody answer that? ANYBODY?

-Fleury looks to be in mid-April form, so I wouldn't expect to see much of him until the opener. Very impressive tonight.

Next Game

The Blackhawks come into town for the last game at CEC before the opener vs the Flyers.