This is the latest edition of the View From Where I Sat. I know it's been a while, but I think I remember how to do this.
Game Recap
In the first five minutes of the game, the Penguins found themselves one-up on the home team when Sidney Crosby spun around a backhander past Tuukka Rask. Craig Adams shot the puck on net which allowed the rebound. Adams and Letang had the helpers. The Pens would take the lead into the intermission after both teams failed to add goals while on the power play.
The Bruins came out intent to change the game to start the second and did well. They scored two goals in a thirty second span. The first came from everyone's favorite basketcase Milan Lucic. He wristed home a shot from Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson. Just 25 seconds later, former Penguins draft pick Joe Morrow scored his first NHL goal and point when he scored from the point. Dougie Hamilton and Simon Gagne had the assists. The Bruins carried the pace of play until the Pens got the Bruins Patrice Bergeron off the ice with a hooking penalty. On the man advantage, Evgeni Malkin added yet another power play goal when he slammed one, short-side past Tuukka Rask. The game was tied going into the intermission.
The third period would see more of the same. Each team had opportunities aplenty in the period, but neither side could take advantage. The game would go into overtime where the Pens allowed the initial chances before getting a run up ice. Crosby would take it wide left, Malkin came down the right and Letang streaking up the middle. Letang would run interference (not actually interfering though, so calm yourselves Boston fans), allowing Crosby to find Malkin who rips it past Rask to end the game. Final score, 3 to 2 Penguins.
My 3 Stars
Penguins Report Card
Marc-Andre Fleury (A): See above.
Olli Maatta (B-): He got beat a bit against the Lucic line in the 2nd period before Johnston got him and Ehrhoff away from them. He was good tonight, but not the usual fantastic self. He had 3 hits and a block in his 20:24. Still getting used to playing with Ehrhoff I think, so I think we will see some more growing pains over the next few games.
Rob Scuderi (B-): He was great on the 4-on-3 penalty kill that may have saved the game in the second period but otherwise was his typical workman self. Got beat a few times, but he was relatively solid.
Paul Martin (C+): Martin had a couple of bad penalties called against him tonight, which weren't necessarily his fault. However, he was caught flat footed a couple times which resulted in the penalties. Not his best game, but didn't cost the Pens.
Christian Ehrhoff (B): I thought Ehrhoff was very good tonight. He got beat a few times with Maatta against the Lucic line. That being said, I loved the way he was playing offensively tonight. He was joining the rush and creating some chances. Thought he was good tonight.
Nick Spaling (B+): I thought Spaling looked better with Crosby than Malkin. That doesn't shock me, but it's good in the interim. He had two shots and three hits in 16:44. He went to the net, fought hard in the corners and helped make Crosby look good tonight. I'd go as far as saying his best game this season.
Chris Kunitz (B-): Looked a little bit better tonight than he has the last few games. Geno was certainly happy to have him back on his line. On another note, Kunitz was great defensively. He had three hits and a block tonight. Personally felt he had more hits than that but I'm not the statistician.
Brandon Sutter (B-): I thought Sutter was solid tonight. He created some chances for his linemates, but he was a -1 on the night with a giveaway and he was only 44% from the faceoff circle. That being said, he definitely got better as the game went on, so that was good. Also, his performance on the 4-on-3 penalty kill in the second was great!
Blake Comeau (B): Many are saying Comeau isn't good enough to play in the top six but I disagree. I think Comeau has performed admirably in that role and more importantly, he shoots the puck as often as possible. He had four shots tonight and created some chances for his linemates as well. A good game for him.
Beau Bennett (C): Bennett went out with an injury again, which is not surprising but is a blow to this team. Before he went down, he was a -2 for the game.
Steve Downie (B-): He didn't take a penalty, which is enough to make me happy. He had two shots but only 10:39 is not too great for me.
Craig Adams (B+): Put a good shot on net that resulted in the Crosby goal. He was solid on the PK, which is always good. He only played 5:35, but he played well in that time in my opinion.
Simon Despres (B): I thought Despres was solid tonight. He was very physical, with four hits and a blocked shot. He took the penalty, but took Lucic with him which was big. He was a -1 on the day in 10:59 but I thought it was a solid game for him.
Marcel Goc (B-): Goc was 50% from the circle with 3 hits, but little else. Not a bad game by any standards for the defensive specialist.
Kris Letang (A-): I thought Kris Letang played a hell of a game tonight. He led the team with 26:26 of ice time. He had two assists and four shots on net. He was the key to Geno's game winner in OT. He just played an absolutely phenomenal game, would've been a star if not for the other 3 stars tonight.
Jayson Megna (B): Only played 8:39, but he showed what he can do. He had four hits and created a few chances when he was in the offensive zone. He's a good player and he deserves his chance up here. I expect we will see more of him if Bennett can't go on Wednesday.
Evgeni Malkin (A): See above
Patric Hornqvist (A-): I love this guy so much. He is the perfect winger for Sidney Crosby and he proved it tonight. He didn't put up any points, but he put up 3 shots and 2 hits. He went to the net, he did the dirty work and he played absolutely great hockey with Crosby. You can tell, he simply is better with Crosby.
Sidney Crosby (A-): See above
My Final Thoughts
The Stars shown tonight. Crosby, Malkin, Hornqvist, Letang and Fleury were all phenomenal tonight. They played so well all game long. The line changes certainly helped the forwards. Flower did well in net and made some key saves. Letang was incredibly good as well. He played great defensively and was key to the offensive play of the Pens.
Tough situation with Beau Bennett. He called hauled down by Kevan Miller which resulted in the injury. It looked like the knee that he was already missed time with this year. Hopefully, it's nothing serious, but if history is any indication, Bennett will be lost for some time. You have to feel for the kid, just can't seem to stay healthy. It's definitely some bit of bad luck but he is definitely being labeled "fragile."
Congrats again to the Marc-Andre Fleury who won his 300th career game tonight. He is the 3rd fastest goaltender to that mark. He has played great hockey this season and if he can continue to do so, the Penguins could go very, very far this season.
That will do it for me tonight. I hope you enjoyed my tweets throughout the game. It was fun to sit here and tweet the whole time.
Again, I WILL NOT be posting pre or post games the rest of the week. If I do, I will let you know about it. So be sure to check in from time to time to see what I'm rambling about.
I WILL have a piece on potential moves the Pens may want to look at to fill the holes in the forward corps. That would probably come on Wednesday or Thursday. A perfect way to spend Thanksgiving.
Everyone enjoy the rest of your night. If you're traveling this week, be safe and enjoy the holiday.
Cheers!