Penguins Update: Wilson’s Goal a Thing of Beauty

It was the prettiest goal scored by a Penguin in a long time. No, I’m not talking about Phil Kessel’s far-side laser from the right circle, although that one was nice, too.

I’m referring to Scott Wilson’s tally. The one that came at 16:26 of the second period to give the Penguins a pronounced spark and a little breathing room during last night’s 6-3 victory over Detroit at the CONSOL.

Seconds earlier Wilson was unable to corral a nifty drop pass in the slot from linemate Conor Sheary. A fairly common occurrence over the past month as the kids from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton have struggled to capitalize on hard-earned chances.

The Oakville, Ontario native might have wondered if he’d ever get his first NHL goal.

Instead of brooding, Wilson kept working. So did Sheary. In a terrier-like display of tenacity, No. 43 outfought defender Mike Green for a loose puck behind the Detroit net. After evading Green’s partner, Brendan Smith, along the end boards the little winger slipped a forehand feed to Wilson at the left dot while falling to the ice. Flashing his latent offensive skill, Wilson dropped to a knee and ripped a bullet between Petr Mrazek’s pads.

While Wilson and Sheary joyfully embraced in the corner, Brian Dumoulin scooped up the rubber for a keep sake. Like a proud papa lion tending to his cubs, veteran Kevin Porter nuzzled his youthful linemates.

Wilson stole a glance at the scoreboard and skated to the Pens’ bench for a round of celebratory fist bumps from his black-and-gold teammates before taking a victorious half-turn toward the bench door. In one long exhale and shrug of the shoulders you could feel the weight of expectations and missed opportunities roll off his back.

“It’s a lot more fun when we’re chipping in, as well,” Wilson confessed to the Tribune-Review’s Bill West. “Night-in and night-out, we’re doing the little things and not taking chances. Tonight, to be rewarded, it definitely means a lot.”

Cullen Shines

When GM Jim Rutherford signed free-agent and former ‘Canes Cup winner Matt Cullen to a one-year deal for $800K this past summer, it raised some eyebrows. Some questioned whether the money might be better spent on a defenseman. Or a younger player.

No one’s questioning the move now. Indeed, the 39-year-old wonder’s been a revelation with his spirited, heady play. Still an excellent skater despite his advanced hockey age, Cullen’s been terrific on draws and the PK all season. A leader in the locker room, too.

Cullen stepped into the No. 2 center slot when Evgeni Malkin went down and promptly elevated his game. Much as he did last season with Nashville, when he tallied 16 points in 26 games while filling in for an ailing Mike Fisher. With three goals and two assists in his past eight games, the Minnesota native’s a big reason why the Pens have kept pace (4-2-1) during Geno’s absence.