Penguins drop thriller 5-3

This game was one of the more entertaining games of the season, despite the wrong team on the winning side of the game.  The difference in the game was Cam Ward.  In the first period, he robbed the Penguins continuously robbing Sullivan, Kunitz and Malkin twice to keep the Canes up 1-0 after an early goal by Jeff Skinner.  The Penguins dominated much of the game, but between Ward's goaltending, and a few key lapses by the defense/backchecking forwards the Canes wind up winning an exciting battle.  Anyway, back to the game.  In the second period Tuomo Ruutu blew it open a bit with 2 goals to give Carolina a 3 goal lead, and given Ward's play, it appeared as if the Canes may have a relatively easy win within reach. But this Pens team does not quit. At 1:40 of period three Malkin makes a beautiful play to set up Jordan Staal who drills a one timer past Cam Ward to get the Penguins on the board.  The goal was Staal's seventh of the campaign, and the other assist came from James Neal giving him 6 on the year to go with his team leading 11 goals.  At 4:43 of the third the Penguins penalty killing unit strikes back.  On a beautiful feed from Matt Cooke, Staal gets a breakaway opportunity and buries it behind Ward for his 8th goal of the season.  Orpik picked up his second assist on the year, but the pass from Matt Cooke was a thing of beauty.  Now the Penguins were buzzing and Ward to make another show stopping save on the same power play on Richard Park to keep the Penguins from tying this game.  Then at 12:18 Chris Kunitz ties the game with a great shot off of a feed from Pascal Dupuis.  Justice for Coon, as he has been buzzing around the cage like a demon and had 2 goals disallowed Friday night.  I just knew the Penguins were going to win this one at this point.  It was an impressive push, and the Canes were reeling.  Alas, it was not meant to be.  At 15:26 Eric Staal pokes a puck out from under Johnson's glove to give Carolina the lead again, and Chad LaRose added the insurance marker at 17:30 from Staal to cement the 5-3 win for Carolina.  Some observations from the game:

Brent Johnson, a favorite of mine, is struggling a bit this season.  After a year here where he almost felt like a 1A goaltender v a number 2.  This season, between the stellar play of Fleury, and his own play being a bit off, he does not leave that same feeling.  BJ's record is 1-2-2 this season and his save percentage is .889.   They need a little more from him on Fleury's nights off.  Evgeni Malkin had 12 shots on goal tonight!  12!  The Penguins outshot the Canes 40-26 last night, but the difference in the net made all the difference.  The Penguins PK was stellar again killing off all 4 Canes power plays and adding a short handed goal.  The power play was 0 for 5 including a key extended 5 on 3.  Kunitz's goal was the 300th point of his career, congratulations Coon!  Finally, Paul Martin is struggling........He has 0 points in his last 7 games, he is a -8 in the past 5 games, and -11 on the year.  The Pens need much more from #7.  Now back to Crosby Watch!  I hope to see him Tuesday night as the Penguins host the Avalanche.