RECAP. Give em the D. Pens WIN; Lead 3-2

3

1

Yes.  That 3-1 score is correct.  You don't need your eyes checked.  A team actually got a 3-1 lead and kept it.  It helped that the 3rd goal came with like a minute left.  Fully expected the Pens to find a way to blow that somehow.  MAF wasn't gonna let it happen though.

The 1st period was pretty much a gong show for the Pens.  They looked completely uninterested at times minus a certain couple of people.  MAF was a big reason it stayed scoreless for a while.  The the sphincters of about 25,000 people inside and out side tightened.  The Blue Jackets got a power play.  They worked the puck deep and someone tried a NHL 14 cross crease pass but it was broken up.  The puck sat in front of Fleury and he covered it.  No whistle, no whistle, no whistle.  The puck finally squirted free and some jobber put it home.  1-nil Blue Jackets.  Fleury had the puck covered for about 12 seconds but you apparently have to cover it for 13 last night.  No clue how there wasn't a whistle.  Near the end of the period the Pens finally started putting some pressure on the Jackets and got some scoring chances.  Robert Bortuzzo, who was in the line up for Brooks Orpik, put like 3 shots on goal.  One of them got deflected and almost found its way behind Bob.  Pens went into intermission still down 1.

The Pens didn't carry over their momentum to the 2nd period.  Blue Jackets had unlimited chances early.  Kris Letang single handedly broke up a 2 on 1.  MAF was standing tall.  The Pens went to the power play and the game turned around.  Best In The World finally made an appearance and dished a puck to Kunitz in front.  He tried to redirect it home but it was saved.  The rebound sat right there and Kunitz knocked it home to tie the game at 1.  The Pens dominated the period from there on out.  The were in the Jackets throat.  But the couldn't get a 2nd goal behind Bobrovsky.  The Pens had 21 shots in the second period.  21.  That is what we want to see every period.  Bobrovsky has been shaky all series.  Make him have to make saves.  The game went to the 3rd tied at 1.

The Pens kept up their momentum going into the 3rd period.  The were all over the Blue Jackets.  Really don't even remember many good scoring chances to Columbus in the 3rd period.  The Pens had a few though.  Sidney Crosby actually looked like Sidney Crosby for a little bit.  He made a couple nice plays and got some shots on goal but no dice.  Beau Bennett launched a bomb of a one timer but Bob said no.  The Pens were pressuring.  They were all over the Jackets.  It looked like the Jackets were gonna get a good chance but Kris Letang made some unreal defensive play to break that up.  Then the Pens finally broke through.  Lee Stempniak dangled pretty much the entire Blue Jackets organization and got a shot on goal.   Bobrovsky saved it but couldn't find the rebound.  Jussi Jokinen was in the right place at the right time to bang home the rebound to make it 2-1 Pens.  The Yes Movement went crazy inside and outside.

Then the Pens just shut it down.  The suffocated the Blue Jackets and gave them nothing.  The Jackets pulled Bobrovsky.  Best In The World had a chance to bury it.  He hit the damn post.  But the Pens were eventually able to ice it when Kris Letang hit the empty net.  The Blue Jackets got butt hurt and tried to start shit after the final horn.  Lol byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

1. Chris Kunitz

2. Marc Andre Fleury

3. Sergei Bobrovsky

Stuff:

• What a performance from Marc Andre Fleury.  Absolutely incredible.
• Big time stick tap the the Pens defense.  Each and every one of them were amazing last night.  Big props to Robert Bortuzzo who stepped in for an injured Brook Orpik.  Also big props to Kris Letang who showed why the Pens paid him.
• Still don't know what to say about Sidney Crosby.  He showed some flashes of himself but for most of the game he looked like he was on another planet.  Bad passes, not hustling, not shooting.  Later in the game he did some things but still.  If the Pens want to make it past this round him and Malkin need to start scoring.
• Pens lines were a mess last night.  The only real consistent line was 14-87-71.  Who at times looked good.  Everyone and their brother took a shift between 36 and 18.  
• Pens had something like 52 shots last night.  If they shoot that much they are gonna win more often then not.

Next game is Monday at 7.

Go Pens