PENGUINS- 2
-Evgeni Malkin (Kennedy, Crosby) 2-10:19
-Alex Goligoski (Michalek, Kennedy) 3-5:05
W- Fleury (43-44)
SENATORS- 1
-Jesse Winchester (Ruutu, Karlsson) 1-12:11
L- Leclaire (38-40)
RECAP
On a day full of "Black Friday" specials, it was the special teams of the Pens that got the best deal of the day. The Pens' penalty kill had yet another perfect performance, and the powerplay got on track with both of Pittsburgh's goals.
The game got off to a slow start for the Pens, and they found themselves down 1-0 at the end of the 1st due to a Jesse Winchester goal. Strangely, not a single penalty was called on the 1st period.
Then the special teams went to work in the 2nd. After killing off a penalty, the Pens powerplay went to work. After a solid minute and a half of attacking, the Pens found the back of the net after th puck bounced right to the waiting stick of Evgeni Malkin. Crosby received a helper on the play, and thus extended his point streak to 11 games. The rest of the 2nd passed without incident, and set up for a shootout in the 3rd. Pittsburgh found the answer in the long overdue stick of Alex Goligoski, who wristed one past Leclaire just past the 2 minute mark of the 4 minute powerplay. Special teams are great, but maybe the biggest hero of the game was Mr Fleury.
Fleury made 43 saves, but none more impressive than the one he made midway through the 1st. Fleury did nearly a full roll-over as he stuck his glove in the air to rob the shooter and keep the game tied at 0. Fleury also drew the attention of the sellout crowd when he got into a scuffle with troublemaker Chris Neil after Neil charged into his crease.
GAME CHANGING PLAY
Malkin's goal really changed the whole momentum of the game, and permanently erased the Sens' lead.
GRADES:
Offense: B. After a subpar 1st, they rebounded relatively well. Leclaire was just on fire.
Defense: B. Same as offense. Bad 1st, pretty good 2nd and 3rd.
Fleury: A. Spectacular all game.
Powerplay: A- Scored both goals, took lots of shots. That's the way a PP should look.
Penalty Kill: A. Once again perfect. (4-4)
3 Big Points:
-For some reason, Bylsma made the decision to scratch Engelland in favor of Lovejoy. Ben made a few mistakes, but he showed quite a bit of spunk and physicality.
-Nice to see Alex get that GWG. It seemed like he was becoming hesitant to shoot.
-Asham appears to be struggling on the line with Rupp and Adams. Maybe he should get another shot with Geno.
MY 3 STARS:
1. Marc-Andre Fleury
2. Evgeni Malkin
3. Pascal Leclaire
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