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This was for my money the most entertaining of the Pens games this season. After a typical early goal on the first shot that has become a signature of MAF, the two teams traded goals until Crosby won it in OT for the Pens. It was not a "bad" goal to start the game, but again no law says a big save could not be made. Fleury played a very strong, making several saves to keep the Pens in the game early....the third goal was a bit soft, but the save on JP Dumont's breakaway on the power play was a big save. Similarly, Fleury looked great making a spectacular save on Steve Sullivan in the 2nd period to keep the Pens within one goal at the time. Fleurys save percentage was .875, but this game is an example of how the save percentage is not ALWAYS indicative of how the goaltender played. I have no beef with this game, especially after a long layoff. Let's hope getting a win under his belt will get Fleury going!
It was great to see Crosby and Malkin dominate a game, and essentially win it for the Pens. The two combined for three goals and 2 assists tonight. Suddenly Crosby is looking like Crosby, he has 10 points in his last 8 games including six goals and Geno is playing well also and dominated play at times;
Mark Letestu added a point again tonite, and is averaging about one point per game. He did not look out of place centering the second line. He leads all rookies in goals, assists, and shots;
Comrie added another assist tonight,maybe a goal is coming soon;
Despite being demoted to the 4th line, I liked Tangradi's game tonight. He was able to control the puck along the boards, and played an effective game. His size and grit could make him effective on that line until he is ready to take his place in the top six;
And again, I cannot even describe how excited I am about the Pens blueline. Going in to tonights game the Pens had 3 defenseman in the top 5 in scoring in the NHL. Martin and Goligoski were tied for second with 7 pts coming into to tonights game, and Letang was 4th with points. Letang added 3 points tonite, and Goligoski and Martin added assists as well. Martin was about half a second away from adding another goal at the end of the first. Hutchinson scored tonight, and Deryk Engelland played another solid tough game, adding a fight in defense of Evgeni Malkin. I am a fan.
Crosby suddenly has 11 points in 8 games after a slow start and Geno now has 8 to now average a point per game. Letang is tied with Malkin for second in points, and leads the team with a solid + 9. Goligoski and Martin are tied for 4th on the team and carry a +6 and +5 respectively. Suddenly, the Pens backline is an offensive juggernaut. More exciting is the fact this is occurring with two of their top 4 defensemen on the shelf. In addition, there are 4 more NHL ready defensemen in WBS, one that is ticketed as a top pairing talent, Simon Despres;
With Orpik almost ready to come back, followed quickly by Asham, some tough calls will be need to made. A few weeks down the road, Staal will be ready, as will Zybnek Michalek. If and when they get fully healthy, there will be some more interesting decisions to be made.
My final comment is the fact that the Kunitz and Cooke are both in the top three in hits in the NHL, and you still have guys like Asham, Engelland, Orpik, Rupp, Adams on top of that, this may be the toughest Pens team I can recall in many years.
It was great to see Crosby and Malkin dominate a game, and essentially win it for the Pens. The two combined for three goals and 2 assists tonight. Suddenly Crosby is looking like Crosby, he has 10 points in his last 8 games including six goals and Geno is playing well also and dominated play at times;
Mark Letestu added a point again tonite, and is averaging about one point per game. He did not look out of place centering the second line. He leads all rookies in goals, assists, and shots;
Comrie added another assist tonight,maybe a goal is coming soon;
Despite being demoted to the 4th line, I liked Tangradi's game tonight. He was able to control the puck along the boards, and played an effective game. His size and grit could make him effective on that line until he is ready to take his place in the top six;
And again, I cannot even describe how excited I am about the Pens blueline. Going in to tonights game the Pens had 3 defenseman in the top 5 in scoring in the NHL. Martin and Goligoski were tied for second with 7 pts coming into to tonights game, and Letang was 4th with points. Letang added 3 points tonite, and Goligoski and Martin added assists as well. Martin was about half a second away from adding another goal at the end of the first. Hutchinson scored tonight, and Deryk Engelland played another solid tough game, adding a fight in defense of Evgeni Malkin. I am a fan.
Crosby suddenly has 11 points in 8 games after a slow start and Geno now has 8 to now average a point per game. Letang is tied with Malkin for second in points, and leads the team with a solid + 9. Goligoski and Martin are tied for 4th on the team and carry a +6 and +5 respectively. Suddenly, the Pens backline is an offensive juggernaut. More exciting is the fact this is occurring with two of their top 4 defensemen on the shelf. In addition, there are 4 more NHL ready defensemen in WBS, one that is ticketed as a top pairing talent, Simon Despres;
With Orpik almost ready to come back, followed quickly by Asham, some tough calls will be need to made. A few weeks down the road, Staal will be ready, as will Zybnek Michalek. If and when they get fully healthy, there will be some more interesting decisions to be made.
My final comment is the fact that the Kunitz and Cooke are both in the top three in hits in the NHL, and you still have guys like Asham, Engelland, Orpik, Rupp, Adams on top of that, this may be the toughest Pens team I can recall in many years.
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