Pens win 7th straight

During the early January losing streak, I remember looking at the mid to end of January schedule, and realizing that this stretch of games would be crucial in terms of their playoff hopes.  Most of the games were against Eastern Conference playoff rivals, or in the case of tonight, a top western conference team.  There was also concern that the Penguins needed to start beat quality teams and quality divisional teams.  Well 7 games later, the Penguins have picked up all 14 available points, won 4 straight road games, including road wins against the #2 team in the NHL (Rangers), and #3 team in the NHL (Blues).  It is safe to say that the Pens answered the bell during that stretch, thanks largely to the top line, Fleury,better team defense.  An interesting statistic is that out of Geno's last 8 goals, 7 were in the 3rd period or in overtime.  The victory tonight gave the Penguins a 28-17-4 record, along with 60 points, and a fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.  As far as the game goes, it was an interesting and physical game from the outset.  The first period ended 0-0, with both teams playing a physical brand of hockey.  Early in the second period, Malkin drew a penalty and at 3:26 James Neal hammered home his 27th goal of the season, which also happened to be the 100th goal of his career, and 13th power play goal of the season, tying him for the league lead with Scott Fartsmell.  He was assisted by Chris Kunitz (18) and Paul Martin (15).  Penguins up 1-0.   At 12:16 of the period, Steve Sullivan nets his 9th goal of the year, knocking a Deryk Engelland shot out of mid air behind Elliott.  The assist was Engelland's 10th and Cooke got his 9th assist of the year on the play.  Berglund got the Blues on the board shortly after, and the period ended with the Penguins leading 2-1.  Then in the third, the Penguins surrender a short handed goal off of a botched play by Letang giving Berglund a breakaway that resulted in a penalty shot.  He buried it blocker side to tie the game.   Regulation ended with the score tied 2-2, marking the second straight 2-0 lead the Penguins have squandered in regulation.   It is important to note that Fleury made highlight reel save after highlight reel save in the third period and overtime, stealing at least one point for the Penguins.  In the shootout, Malkin scored his fifth shootout goal in 7 tries in the second round, but St. Louis with the game on the line tied the shootout 1-1.  In fitting fashion, Chris Kunitz playing in his 500th career game, wins it for the Penguins with a beautiful move.  It was great to see the underrated Chris Kunitz get on the board tonight.  The Penguins go into the All-Star break on a hot streak and squarely in the middle of the playoff race, only 3 points behind 4th place Philadelphia.  They will come off of the break with two games in a row against Toronto, a team only 5 points behind Pittsburgh.  It is a chance for the Penguins to put a lot of room between themselves and 9th place, or to have Toronto breathing down their neck.  Go Pens!!