Another day, another hated rival at the Consol Energy Center. The Penguins, sporting a 5 game winning streak defeated their hated rivals 4-3 in overtime today to run their winning streak to 6 games. It was almost like watching 3 different games. In the first period, it seemed as if the Penguins could run the Captards out of the building. They gave up only four shots, while scoring two goals, including a power play goal to take a 2-0 lead. At 4:51 of the first, on a power play, Kris Letang scored his 5th goal of the year on a nasty slapper from the point unassisted. The Penguins went up 1-0. A little more than a minute later, James Neal whipped a nasty wrist shot past Neuvirth directly off the faceoff from Evgeni Malkin(31) for his 25th goal of the year. The release and velocity on the Neal shot off of Geno's draw led me to believe that Neuvirth never saw the puck until he was fishing out of the net. The period ended with the Penguins leading 2-0. The Penguins controlled play during the period, and it looked like it could be a yawner. However, the ice tilted the other way during the second period of play, and the Capitals took advantage of soft play in front of the net to get their first goal from Brooks Laich, and three minutes later, Alexander Semin tied the game 2-2 due to poor defensive zone coverage. Martin and Michalek were on the ice for both goals. Also, the "Great 8" drilled Michalek in the head with an elbow, while leaving his feet(as usual). I will be curious to see what the new clown of discipline does with that one. Anyway, the period came to an end with the score tied. The beginning of the third took on an ominous and familiar regular season tone in a Caps/Penguins as Alexander Ovechkin scored off a two on one that developed when Brooks Orpik stepped up at the blue line, creating a 2 on 1. The Capitals were up 3-2, and were firmly in control of the play. The time of the goal was 1:08. Then at 7:06, the dynamic duo decided to change the course of the game. Evgeni Malkin led a rush up the ice and into the Caps zone, splitting 3 players. As he began to beat them, one of them tripped Geno, who regained his feet, chased the puck into the corner to take it off of Roman Hamrlik and out to Neal above the circle. Neal, for his part, with no room to operate, flicked a wrist shot over the shoulder of Neuvirth who seemed surprised to tie the game! Just an outstanding and passionate effort by Geno, and an unbelievable finish by Neal for his 26th goal of the year. The assist was the 32nd of the year for Malkin, and Orpik earned his 8th assist on the play. After some heart stopping moments late in the period, including a post from Brouwer, the game went into overtime. Then, Malkamania ran wild again, as he tucked in a wrist shot from in close to win the game for Pittsburgh. The goal was Malkin's 26th of the year, tying him with Neal for the team lead, and for third in the NHL. It was also Malkin's 7th game winning goal of the year, which is 5 short of the team record held by Jaromir Jagr from the 1995-96 season. And again, James Neal(20) and Paul Martin(14) collected assists on this play. Malkin has now scored goals in 6 straight games, tying his personal best streak! Geno, now has 58 points on the season, giving him a six point lead over several other players, including Steven Stamkos. Further, at Malkin's current 1.41 points per game average, he would have 68 points if he were healthy all year, and would lead the league by 16 points! Malkin almost seems as if he is just deciding to take over a game when the Penguins need it most, and the passion with which is playing is just flat out exciting to watch. The chemistry he has with James Neal, whose rocket of a wrist shot is the perfect complement to Geno's creativity is something I have not seen in awhile. Finally, on that note, do not underestimate the contributions that Kunitz makes to this line that may not show up on the score sheet. His forecheck and corner work contribute mightily to the zone time this line gets, and his net front presence adds even more mayhem to the juggernaut that has become Malkin/Neal. Malkin is clearly the leader of this team right now, and it is fun to watch. On another note, despite allowing three goals on 20 shots, a stat killer, do not overlook Fleury as a key ingredient today. He made the stops he had to, and is third in the league in wins. I am starting to grow a bit tired of waiting to see the value in our second "shutdown" pairing. At 5M and 4M Martin and Michalek just have to do more period. I am not sure which one is worse, but another bad day today, as both were -2, and Michalek was on the ice for all three Washington goals. I am not sure what Shero has in mind, but don't be shocked if they don't take a run at someone like Hal Gill who is UFA after this year, and mentioned with Scuds as one of two players both Shero and Bylsma wished that had kept over the past several years. He is not a good skater, but he is fast, hard to play against, blocks shots, and wears you out down low. He is not a punishing hitter, but neither is he softer than a baby's ass in front of his net like Michalek and Martin have been. Despite a stable of young puck moving talent, I don't think the Pens will go into the playoffs with that kind of youth on the blue line, but if they can grab a veteran like Tim Gleason or Hal Gill, I would not be shocked to see Shero shop either Martin or Michalek. I am pretty sure that will happen over the summer as well. I am stunned, as I literally almost danced around the beach two July 1sts ago when I heard we signed them both on day one of free agency. Finally, as entertaining as the Malkin/Neal show has been, I would feel better if I saw Cooke, Dupuis, Tangradi, or Kennedy appear on the score sheet some. At any rate, the Penguins now have 58 points, leaving them six points behind the conference leading New York Rangers, and seven ahead of ninth place Toronto. They have a big test coming up Tuesday night in St. Louis. Seven is better than six! Go Pens!
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