Penguins Impress With 4-3 Win Over Flyers

Speed kills.

Penguins’ play-by-play announcer Paul Steigerwald bellowed that time-honored line after watching Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin torch the Flyers on a two-on-one during the third period of last night’s scintillating 4-3 Penguins victory at the Consol.

Philly forward and noted Penguin killer Jakub Voracek seconded the notion. “They’re a fast team,” he said.

Indeed, thanks to the recent acquisitions of Hagelin and mobile rearguard Trevor Daley the Pens—suddenly—have speed to burn. Not by coincidence, they’re finally beginning to resemble the offensive powerhouse everyone expected following a high-profile offseason.

Feeds that previously clanked off of stick blades are now finding tape. After giving a pretty fair impression of drying paint through the early going, the Pens have displayed infinitely improved tempo and flow. During one especially dazzling even-strength sequence midway through the final period they passed the puck as if it were on a string. All the while keeping the befuddled Flyers pinned in their own end for what seemed an eternity.

Until now, I’ve been skeptical of the team’s chances to make the playoffs. But I like what I see. The trio of Evgeni Malkin, Hagelin, and Kessel (two goals for the evening) has a chance to be lethal. With four goals in 17 games, Daley’s been outstanding since donning the black and gold. Kids like Tom Kuhnhackl, Bryan Rust, and Conor Sheary have provided fresh legs and a burst of energy.

Not that there isn’t work to be done. After clawing their way out of an early two-goal hole to snatch a 4-2 lead, our boys nearly handed the game back to their bitter cross-state rivals. Nor did the Pens start like a ball of fire. It took a between-periods “pep talk” from coach Mike Sullivan to stir their competitive juices. An all-too-common occurrence.

Some muscle would help, too.

Still, at long last, the Penguins seem headed in the right direction.

Kunitz Leaves the Game Early

In one of those eerie, Halloween-type incidents that have come to define the nature of the Pens-Flyers rivalry, Chris Kunitz was forced to leave the game when he tumbled back-first into the boards and landed awkwardly on the ice after attempting to check Philly’s Claude Giroux. It’s unclear if he’ll be ready for Saturday afternoon’s contest with Vancouver.

After struggling to produce for much of the season, No. 14’s been on fire of late. “Kuny’s” tallied three goals and two assists over his past five games. For the season, the 36-year-old winger has eight goals and 18 points in 46 games. He paces the Penguins in hits (173) and leads all black-and-gold forwards with a plus-13.

If Kunitz is unable to play, the Pens’ may activate Beau Bennett, who’s been practicing with the team after missing the past five weeks with a shoulder injury. Sergei Plotnikov—a frequent healthy scratch—also is available.