The Shootout in Mecca. Pens WIN

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The Pens were in Mecca last night....are we doing this right?  For some reason no matter how good or bad the Leafs are Pens/Leafs always seem to be a lot of fun.  Last night was no different.  Pens jumped out to a lead early and the Leafs fought back.  If you needed a reason why the NHL should have 10 minute overtimes just watch the overtime from this game.  Unreal 5 minutes of hockey.

1st Period

36 seconds in and the Pens were in the lead.  James Neal shot one from the slot that found its way through Reimer to make it 1-0 Pens.  The Leafs would answer on the power play.  Remember when the Pens power play actually killed penalties?  Kessel put one on net and JVR may have gotten a piece of it.  Whatever 1-1. Pens would respond in a big way netting 2 really quick goal.  Letang went in on goal and put a shot on Reimer.  It was saved but Reimer was done for.  Puck made its way to Best In The World and he buried it.  2-1.

Then Paul Martin would throw a shot off of Reimer's pad, it bounced in front and it look as if Beau Bennett knocked the puck in but some Leafs actually put it in their own net.  3-1 after 1.

2nd Period

Other than Thursday's game against Philadelphia the 2nd period has been the Pens worst of the season.  This one wasn't awful but it wasn't good either.  The Pens got some chances but couldn't cash in.  Then the Leafs got one and did.  On the power play once again Cody Franson sniped one from the point to make it 3-2.  Instead of imploding and giving up 5 the Pens answered.  Pascal Dupuis stuffed one through Reimer to make it 4-2.  But it wouldn't be a Pens/Leafs game if Clarke MacArthur didn't make an appearance.  The defense gave him all the room in the world and he beat MAF to make it 4-3.  If I was MAF I would have been breaking my stick over the defenses heads after that goal.  No excuse to give someone the amount of room MacArthur had.  

3rd Period

The Pens had a power play that could have gave the Pens some breathing room but they couldn't.  Pass pass pass pass pass pass pass, pass up open shot, pass pass pass, dangle, pass pass pass.  Basically every Pens power play.  A goal would have been great to have there because the way this season has gone no lead is safe.  And of course Phill Kessel had to get into the action.  Funny part about it was, Steigy and Bob said Kessel had been invisible early in the 3rd period.  Kessel grabbed a rebound and beat MAF to tie the game at 4.  No clue how Fleury doesn't lose it and kill his defense.  Unreal action to end the 3rd but no dice for either team.

Overtime

If you ever want to put a video together on why the NHL should go to 10 minute overtimes, use this as exhibit A.  OT was back and fourth with each team getting its chances.  Neither team could get anything in OT so we went to a shootout.

Shootout

Tyler Bozak was the first shooter for the Leafs.  Yes you read that right.  Tyler Bozak.  MAF told him to eat a dick.  James Neal was the Pens first shooter and his shot was in and out before Reimer even knew what happened.  Kadri was the Leafs second shooter and it looked like he had Fleury beat but Fleury got his pad over in time to deny Kadri.  Then Best In The World came out to shoot for the Pens.  If you didn't know he was gonna bury this then go cheer for the Leafs.  Best In The World came in and roofed it on Reimer to make it 2-0 in the shootout and gave the Pens a 5-4 win.  Oh...Did we mention?

3 STARS

1.   Best In The World

2. Phil Kessel

3. Dion Phaneuf

Stuff:

• How did Dion Phaeuf get the 3rd star?
• 2 point night for Best In The World.
• 30:23 of ice time for Kris Letang.  He also tallied 2 assists.
• Simon Despres was back in the lineup.  He looked good in only 12:20 of ice time.
• A couple of scary moments for the Pens.  Geno got crushed into the boards in the 3rd.  He left the ice slowly and came back for a shift.  He didn't play in OT.  And Crosby went flying over some Leaf who was getting back to his feet after trying to block a shot.  Sid crashed into the end boards and lost his helmet.  He was fine.
• Where oh were has the Pens penalty kill gone?  It used to be one of the best in the league and is now under 80% or something like that.
• MAF was sharp.  Hard to blame any of the goals on him.
• Hopefully this loss breaks Toronto's will and they free fall out of the playoffs.

Islanders come to town in like 12 minutes.  

Go Pens