RECAP. Better Lucky? Pens WIN; Up 1-0

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 pics and video via Andrew

There is nothing like the Stanley Cup playoffs.  It's a whole nother animal compared to the regular season.  You have to be at your best.  The Pens weren't their best last night but they still managed to pull out a win.  Most of the game Columbus looked better than the Pens did but the Pens turned it on when they had to.  Marc Andre Fleury coming up big in spots helped too.

This game could have easily been 1-0 or even 2-0 Pens early.  Unlimited chances on Bobrovsky.  But they either TKed it or Bob made the big saves.  Columbus wasn't backing down though.  The Pens would push and Columbus would push back.  And Columbus ended up striking first.  Paul Martin got absolutely undressed and the puck made its way to Jack Johnson, he's good friends with Best In The World if you haven't heard.  Johnson made a nice move on Fleury in close to make it 1-nil Jackets.  I honestly liked that the Jackets scored 1st and fairly early.  It would show us how the Pens and MAF would respond.  Fleury responded the way we expected him to.  Made the next save and a few big saves after to keep the Pens in it.  And they responded with a goal of their own.  The Pens dumped the puck in and Bobrovsky gave it away.  The puck came to Jussi Jokinen in the slot who beat Bobrovsky to tie the game at 1.  Then Rob Scuderi got called for one of the most asinine interference calls ever.  And of course the Blue Jackets cashed in.  Paul Martin and Brooks Orpik were out to lunch and no one decided to cover former Penguin Mark Letestu.  He buried one to make it 2-1 Jackets.  Fleury came up big again.  There was a faceoff in the Pens zone and the Jackets won it cleanly and got a quick shot off.  Fleury made a huge save to keep the score at 2-1.  The Pens would get a power play late in the period that would carry over to the 2nd. 

The 2nd period started with the Pens on the power play and well, that didn't start out pretty good.  A puck bound of Kris Letang's stick at the blue line giving the Blue Jackets a break away.  Really don't remember who it was but the scored to make it 3-1.  If your butt hole wasn't clenched a little bit you're a liar.  But the Pens answered.  The second power play unit came on and made things happen.  Matt Niskanen launched a bomb from the point and Beau Bennett tipped it by Bobrovsky to make it 3-2.  Not even a minute later the Pens got another power play.  And once again cashed in.  Matt Niskanen ripped a wrist shot by Bobrovsky to tie the game at 3.  Brand new hockey game.  This is where those big saves Fleury made in the 1st period huge.  Instead of possibly being 4 or 5 to 3 Columbus it was a tie game.  Brandon Sutter had a chance to make it 4-3 Pens on a breakaway but he was hooked/tripped and nothing was called.  One of the most embarrassing non calls ever.  Wes Mcauley is a joke.  Back to that Marc Andre Fleury making big saves thing.  Columbus had another breakaway later in the 2nd.  No idea who had that one either but whoever it was Marc Andre Fleury stoned them to keep the game at 3-3.

Honestly don't remember much about the 3rd period.  Seemed like both teams were playing not to lose or make mistakes.  Almost halfway through the period though the Jackets made the biggest mistake of the game.  The turned the puck over in the neutral zone and Beau Bennett went in with Brandon Sutter 2 on 1.  Bennett moved the puck to Sutter who ripped it past Bobrovsky to make it 4-3 Pens. People at the big screen liked it. 

via Big Bob from the Freak Show.  Kid in the light blue jersey is really into it.

The Pens got a power play about 2 minutes later with a chance to put the game away.  But that was negated when James Wisniekski skated into Kris Letang and Letang got called for interference.  The Pens were able to kill the penalty and the clock.

1. Brandon Sutter

2. Matt Niskanen

3. Jack Johnson

Stuff:

• Very solid effort from the Pens after they were down 3-1.  Hopefully they carry that into Saturday.
• Other than vomiting all over themselves in the 1st period Paul Martin and Brooks Orpik were solid.  Niskanen/Maatta and Letang/Scuderi were solid all night.
• Very solid performance from Marc Andre Fleury.  He kept the Pens in it and gave them a chance to win.
• Ever since returning from injury Beau Bennett has been really good.  Goal and an assist for him tonight.
• Speaking of really good, Brandon Sutter was good last night.
• Evgeni Malkin returned from injury as well.
• Brandon Dubinsky is a joke.  He got away with a blatant slew foot on Best In The World.  Hopefully someone puts him into the 6th row on Saturday.

The next game between these two teams is Saturday at 7.

Go Pens