6
1
Other than the 3-0 shutout of the Rangers earlier this season this was the closest thing to a full 60 minute game the Pens have played all season. Add the fact that this was the 2nd game of a back to back, with the first game being in Toronto and going into overtime makes it even more impressive. Vokoun was sharp when he needed to be and the defense was solid in front of him for the first time since his shutout in MSG. The Pens D was blocked shots, clearing the front of the net, clearing our rebounds, and tying people up so no one got second chance opportunities. We credit this ass the Deryk Engelland not being in the line up. Wooooooo.
1st Period
If you had the feeling this was gonna be one of those tight, sphincter clenching games then you aren't alone. It looked like that was going to be the case early. Isles came out flying and the Pens looked flat. Both teams were on their second game of a back to back but the Isles looked like they hadn't played in weeks. Vokoun was money though. Things settled down when Crosby and Nabokov got roughing penalties. Ryan Mill mess the call up. He was fumbling over words and messing calls up all night. Embarrassing. The 4 on 4 ended and the Pens went to work. The first line might have snorted crack during the TV timeout because they came out and started lighting shit on fire. Pascal Dupuis got it started when he snuck a horrible angled shot past Naboklolv to make it 1-0. Then the Pens went to the power play. They were gifted a 5 on 3 because Travis Hamonic sucks. Actually James Neal bought that call but whatever. The first penalty ended but the Pens cashed in soon after. Chris Kunitz laid the foundation of the house he was about to build in front of the Islanders crease when he jammed home a rebound to make it 2-0. The Pens went back to the power play and Kunitz cashed in again. Best In The World hit him with a pass right on the door step. Easy tap in to make it 3-0 Pens.
2nd Period
We've said it all season and the 8 people that read this are probably getting tired of reading it but the 2nd period has been the Pens worst period this season. It look like it was gonna be one of those meh periods because nothing happened early. Then Simon Despres tripped over Tyler Kennedy's ego and Brad Boyes beat Vokoun to make it 3-1. The the Pens turned it on again. Chris Kunitz made it rain, hats and monkey's that is when he notched his 3rd goal of the game to make it 4-1.
Then Kris Letang sprung James Neal on a breakway. 5-1.
3rd Period
3rd period was pretty much mud. Except for the part where Best In The World and Pascal Dupuis connected for a beautiful goal to make it 6-1. The Pens tried to get Pascal Dupuis a hat trick but no dice. He got called for a penalty with like 50 seconds left in the game. Pretty sure he got a penalty for still trying. Game.
3 STARS
1. Chris Kunitz
2. Best In The World
3. Pascal Dupuis
Stuff:
- The first line is on crack. 5 point night for Chris Kunitz (3 goals, 2 assists) 5 point night for Best In The World (5 assists) and a 2 point night for Pascal Dupuis (2 goals)
- Like we said before Deryk Engelland was scratched last night. The D pairs were Letang/Eaton, Orpik/Martin, and Despres/Niskanen. Hopefully the D pairs stay the same for next game and Engellad isn't back in because the Bruins are more physical.
- No Penguin saw less than 10 minutes of ice time. If you need evidence how well rounded the Pens minutes were last night here you go. Kris Letand led the team with 23:31. Best In The World had 15:00.
- Beau Bennett had another good game even though he didn't get any points. Him ans Dustin Jeffrey were creating chances every time they were on the ice it seems.
- Another great game from Kris Letang. 2 points and a plus 3 in 23:31 of ice time.
- James Neal had a 3 point night.
- Stat of the night. Best In The World has 45 points this season. Chode Giroux and Alexander Ovechkin have 45 points COMBINED.
Just gonna leave this here.
We are really gonna find out a lot about this Pens team in the next week. They play the Bruins, at Toronto, Rangers and Bruins again. All of these games are gonna be without Evgeni Malkin who is out 1-2 weeks with an upper body injury. This is the week we find out what the Pens team is made of.
Bruins tomorrow at 7
Go Pens
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