The Penguins won a pretty big game tonight in a way that felt good. Their pathetic power play, you know that abomination that was 3 for its past 65, and last in the league in thetime frame since Crosby's absence at 12.9%, yeah that one, actually scored a goal. Staal buried it with assists from Neal and Kovalev to put the Penguins up 1-0. They got big goals at big moments for the first time in a while. After NJ ties it, Dupuis quickly answers to put the Penguins back on top 2-1. Then after new dad Chris Kunitz scored his 23rd of the year to put the Penguins up 3-1, the Devils score again to close to within 3-2. Finally,after yet another late chicken shit call by the fuckwads in stripes, Dupuis closes it out with an empty netter short handed to seal the win, 4-2. Of note, oft maligned Pascal Dupuis now has 16 goals and 35 points and is +15 on the season, while "offensive juggernaut" Alex Kovalev has 16 goals and 33 points, while playing to a -6. Interesting statistic. Also, Philadelphia continues to struggle, losing its 13th of the past 19, thus leaving the door open for Pittsburgh to possibly still win the Atlantic Division. If Philadelphia loses its last 2 games in regulation and Pittsburgh wins one game, they get the title. If Philadelphia lose one game in regulation and wins the other, Pittsburgh can win the division by winning its final two games. The conference can be won only if Washington loses its final games in regulation and we win our final games. Other commentary and notes from tonight. Alex Kovalev played in his 1,300th NHL game tonight, only the 50th player in NHL history to do so. Jordan Staal, who had a rough stretch a week or so ago, now has 11 goals and 30 points in 41 games. That would equate to 22 goals and 60 points over a full season, despite coming off of multiple surgeries. He has 8 multi point games this season, and 5 points in the past two games. After a promising start, Niskanen looks shaky to me, enough so that I would give Engo a go, especially Friday night against the pond scum on the Island. Kris Letang continues to regress and that scares me a bit. They need some production from Tanger on the point, and far fewer stupid turnovers if they are going to be a post season force. Chris Kunitz now has 48 points, one fewer than Letang's 49 for second on the team behind Crosby. The Penguins have 102 points which is one better than last year with two games remaining. Finally, Fleury had another strong outing tonight making several big saves early.
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