It was a fun night, and we have a lot to talk about so let's jump into it!
The second period was a lot more chippy, but saw far less scoring. No goals were out up in the period, but Steve Downie and Jarret Stoll got into a scuffle that resulted in offsetting calls. The Kings did manage a PP out of it as well when Downie got one last shot in before entering the box. Some faces were washed and some unnicities uttered before the period ended, but the Pens still held the advantage 2-0.
The third would see more of the chippy nature is the 2nd. Malkin and Justin Williams would throw some gloved punches less than five minutes in and go at each other again later in the period as well. The Pens would get another goal from Chris Kunitz at the 9:24 mark when he was able to snap home a Crosby rebound. Kunitz's second on the night and 5th of the year was assisted by Crosby and Christian Ehrhoff. The Pens would take some penalties later in the period but successfully killed them off. The Kings would flame out and Marc-Andre Fleury would record shutout number thirty of his career. Pens won tonight by the score of 3-0.
A lot of guys to choose from tonight, but I'm content with these three:
1. Marc-Andre Fleury: the Flower was unstoppable tonight! He stopped all 36 shots he faced and looked as if he was seein beach balls tonight! A great performance by him.
2. Chris Kunitz: the Honey Badger was a beast tonight. Put up two goals and an assist in 17:31. He was physical as well and did a great job in the crease. Thought it was his best game of the year, hands down.
3. Rob "The Piece" Scuderi: the bandwagon is filling back up again and I called it in the offseason. Scuds has been outstanding the last 5 games and was incredibly solid tonight. He had two blocks and 3:14 of short handed time. His performance on the kill was great. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I Believe in the Piece!
Alrighty, let's take a look at all the players and their grades on the night:
Marc-Andre Fleury (A+): see above.
Olli Maatta (B+): Olli continues his solid play. He had a hit and three blocks in his 20:12. He played very well at both ends, but particularly his end. You'd think he's been in the league for 10 years, not 10 months.
Rob Scuderi (A-): see above.
Paul Martin (B-): wasn't overly impressed again with Martib. He was solid defensively but just not up to the level he's been at in recent years.
Pascal Dupuis (B-): didn't see a ton of minutes and didn't see a ton from him. He made some good plays on the PK and now and then, but I didn't think it was one of his stronger games.
Christian Ehrhoff (B): got the assist on the second Kuny goal. Like Martin, he just hasn't lived up to expectations. He's getting better, but still not where I'd like to see him.
Nick Spaling (B-): he had 18:06 tonight, which I find surprising considering I was looking for him more often or not. He didn't blow me away on the scoresheet or on the ice but he had 2 blocks and was 50% in the circle.
Chris Kunitz (A): see above.
Brandon Sutter (B-): not too shabby tonight but I didn't think he was outstanding. He had one hit and was 50% in the face off circle. He had 3:25 short handed and 19:39 overall. Think he will greatly benefit from Bennett returning.
Blake Comeau (B-): was very physical again and I like that. But he wasn't much of a factor offensively and only saw 13:49. He did have 4 hits and 2 blocks.
Steve Downie (B-): good again, played his role well. Put up 2 shots, a hit and 2 blocks.
Craig Adams (C+): thought he was very physical when he was out there, but only got 6:55 tonight. That's light. He had 4 hits, but he saw too little action in my eyes.
Zach Sill (C): why Jayson Megna didn't play is beyond me. Might as well have left the spot empty considering he played 5:46. 5 hits, great. Less than 6 minutes, go home.
Simon Despres (B): was good again tonight. 7 hits was impressive and some booming ones. Solid, had been lately. Good to see.
Marcel Goc (C+): alright, but not great. A hit, a block and 46% in the face offs. He's good on the PK and all, but just not getting much time even strength because of Adams and Sill. Megna and Spaling or who ever will help him immensely.
Kris Letang (A-): good to see him get a goal. 5 shots on the night, which I love. Great defensively and led in ice time again (24:13). Really playing good hockey this week, cheers to him.
Evgeni Malkin (B+): Man was he fiesty tonight! But let me say this, when Geno gets pissed off, like he did tonight, he plays great. He got an assist tonight, almost fought Williams twice and was just solid overall.
Patric Hornqvist (B+): another good game for the net pest. Had an assist and 5 shots but did his duty to perfection: go to net, work it.
Sidney Crosby (B): I thought Sid was kind of "blah" tonight. Didn't get a shot until the third period. The numbers say better - assist, 60% in face offs in 18:04 - but I watched him close and didn't see the usual spark. Nothing to worry about, didn't have a negative affect and if anything, opened space for Kunitz's goals.
Overall, I thought this was a great performance by the boys. Not as good as Nashville, but incredibly close. The Pens were strong at both ends and played hard all 60 minutes. If the Pens can continue to play like this, they will have a great year.
The PK continues to impress. They have now killed 22 straight penalties and that's awesome. This unit is ayong flawlessly. Scuderi and Maatta are really impressing me with their play in this area as well.
I was glad to see Tanger get a goal. He needs to shoot more and he did that tonight. His shot can create a lot and give the Pens another lethal weapon in the offensive zone.
That'll do it for me tonight everyone. I how you enjoyed my thoughts.
I will be back on Saturday with the Pregame ahead of the Buffalo game. Be sure to follow on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest up to date Pens coverage from me.
Good night everyone!
Overall, I thought this was a great performance by the boys. Not as good as Nashville, but incredibly close. The Pens were strong at both ends and played hard all 60 minutes. If the Pens can continue to play like this, they will have a great year.
The PK continues to impress. They have now killed 22 straight penalties and that's awesome. This unit is ayong flawlessly. Scuderi and Maatta are really impressing me with their play in this area as well.
I was glad to see Tanger get a goal. He needs to shoot more and he did that tonight. His shot can create a lot and give the Pens another lethal weapon in the offensive zone.
That'll do it for me tonight everyone. I how you enjoyed my thoughts.
I will be back on Saturday with the Pregame ahead of the Buffalo game. Be sure to follow on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest up to date Pens coverage from me.
Good night everyone!