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The Oilers and Pens met up for the first time since 2011 last night. That doesn't seem like a long time but in hockey terms it is. The Oilers have one of the more talented teams in the NHL but are currently 1-5-1 this season. No clue how that has even happened but last night might have shown us a little glimpse why. Oilers couldn't get a break all night.
Pens got off to a quick start just like every other team that has played the Oilers this season. The puck made its way to Best in the World behind the net. He threw a pass out to the right wing circle which Kunitz tipped right to Pascal Dupuis. Dupuis buried it. 1-nil Pens. The rest of the period was whatever. Pens dominated the chances though. Shots were like 14-3 after one. Near the end of the period though all hell broke loose. Pens drew a penalty first. That lasted all of 16 second when someone skated into Malkin and fell like they got shot. Whatever. 4 on 4. 4 on 4 went on for a while then shit really started hitting the fan. Some Oiler grabs Paul Martin's stick. Refs arm goes up but the Oilers continue playing so it was gonna be on Paul Mart. That would have been whatever until Pascal Dupuis gets the puck behind the net and stick handles it a bit. But play never stopped. The Oilers kept playing and almost scored a goal. But the didn't. Pens would have to kill a 5 on 3 to start the 2nd. Pretty embarrassing final 2 minutes of the 1st on the refs parts in our opinion. Oh yeah. Deryk Engelland got smoked by Ryan Smyth this period too. Ryan Friggin Smyth. If Olli Maatta is sent back to juniors in favor of that joke it will be an absolute crime.
Like we said, the Pens had to kill off a 5 on 3 to start the 2nd. They did but the Oilers scored some dumb goal after it was all said and done anyways. 1-1. Best in the World is on another level than anyone else right now. The way he is playing is down right silly. He was at his shenanigans again last night. Someone hit Sid with a pass that he let go between his legs. He kicked it to his stick carried it in to the zone and dropped it off. He then deflected it on net and LOLabarbera muffed it and Kunitz came in to jam hom the rebound. 2-1 Pens. Oilers would tie it up however on another bull shit goal. Seemed like 18 people interfered with Fleury during that shift even as the puck went into the goal. 2-2. Pens had a power play at the end of the period but....LOL.
The 3rd period of last nights game is when you know things aren't going right for the Oilers. First of all Andrew Ference high sticked Best In The World. Crosby looked like he was bleeding but it was only a 2 minute penalty. Andrew Ference is the captain of the Oilers. Let that sink in a bit. Then on the ensuing power play Paul Martin shanked some one time attempt. The puck glided generously right to the waiting stick of Evgen Malkin. Money. 3-2 Pens. Evgeni Malkin has now scored against every NHL team. The rest of the 3rd was snooze city. The shots were only like 4-3 that period.
1. Best In The World
2. Chris Kunitz
3. Ales Hemskey
Stuff:
- Deryk Engelland sucks. Him and Matt Niskanen looked completely lost at times last night.
- 3 point night for Best In The World.
- Marc Andre Fleury was sharp. If you haven't seen it yet go check out Pensblog's Marc Andre Fleury Psychological Applied Behavioral Analysis Index. Funny stuff from our friends at tPb as always.
- Exhibit 12940317534895 why Plus/Minus is an atrocious stat. Olli Maatta was a minus 2 last night but played probably his best game so far this season. He made a few subtle yet excellent plays. One big play he made was to clear out the puck and player on a rebound chance after Deryk Engelland's dumb ass got smoked. And once again, no we aren't just saying this as Olli Maatta fan boys but, if he gets sent back to juniors Shero and Bylsma should be arrested.
- The Metropolitan division is awful. Pens might wrap up a playoff spot before the Olympics.
Pens next game is tomorrow in Philly.
Go Pens
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