The Tampa Bay Lightning rolled into Pittsburgh last night for the first time since they eliminated the Pens in Consol Energy Center last April. The Pens have split the season series this year with the Bolts the Pens winning the last meeting 6-3 in Tampa on a natural hat trick from Evgeni Malkin. The Pens took the lead in that game and let Tampa come back before eventually winning. Tampa took a lead in this one but the Pens came storming back led by who else, Evgeni Malkin.
1st Period
You could have pissed on yourself and it would have looked better than the start of game for the Penguins. Steve fucking Downie handcuffed Brent Johnson to make it 1-0 Tampa. Horrible defensive play by Paul Martin on that goal. Gave Downie to much room. 11 seconds later Downie scored his 2nd of the game. Can Steve Downie even count to 11? Probably this turning point in the game was when Bylsma changed his defensive pairings. He move Niskanen, who for as bad as he was last year has had a complete 180 and quite frankly been much better than Paul Martin, with Zbynek Michalek, and moved Paul Martin to play with Deryk Engelland. It payed off. The defense was shut down city the rest of the game and the Pens started their comeback. For the 2nd game in a row the Pens were down 2-0 and came back. The Pens got a power play when Stamjoke's hair tripped someone. The Pens wasted no time. Letang found Malkin. One timer top shelf. Garon never had a chance. 2-1.
2nd Period
Did Tampa even show up in the 2nd period? They let Kunitz score a sick coast to coast goal to tie the game. Brent Johnson got an assist on the goal. 2nd game in a row a Pens goalie got an assist on a goal. Then a few minutes later Kris Letang beat Garon to make it 3-2. Tampa Bay has to have the worst defensive corp in the league. Mathieu Garon is just as bad. Soft goal to let in. Then the Pens put the game away. After a waived off goal Malkin scored his 2nd. 4-2.
3rd Period
Tampa Bay sucks. No chance they were coming back. Malkin tried hitting an empty net but hit missed a few times and hit the post with a second left.
3 Stars
1. Kris Letang
2. Evgeni Malkin
3. Chris Kunitz
Quick Thoughts
- Matt Niskanen has played his balls off
- Neal-Malkin-Kunitz line is playing unbelievable
- Tampa Bay sucks
- Huge game for Brent Johnson to win
Ducks come to town on Wednesday at 7 with our old buddy Bruce Boudreau behind the bench. Might be Temmu Selanne's last trip to Pittsburgh.
Go Pens
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