Penguins Halt Habs in OT

On a night when champagne corks were popping all over the world in frenzied celebration, the Penguins provided the 18,633 fans in attendance at PPG Paints Arena with a special New Year’s Eve treat of their own.

Indeed, the Pens closed out 2016 with a bang, clipping Atlantic Division leader Montreal, 4-3, courtesy of a sparkling 37-save effort by Marc-Andre Fleury and a little late magic by Conor Sheary and Evgeni Malkin. The overtime triumph capped a 12-1-2 month—the finest December in the team’s 50-year history.

Still, our boys must feel a little like the greyhound at the dog track that can’t quite catch that darn mechanical rabbit, no matter how fast it runs. That’s because Metro Division front-runner Columbus reeled off its 15th-straight win last night—tying the ’81-82 Islanders and the ’12-13 Pens for the second-longest winning streak in NHL history.

If the defending Cup champs are the least bit discouraged, they aren’t letting on.

Take last night, for example. After snatching a 2-1 lead early in the second period on a brilliant backhand goal by Phil Kessel, the Habs knotted the score on Paul Byron’s late-period marker. Followed in short order by a fluke go-ahead goal (credited to Canadien Brian Flynn) that trickled in off defenseman Chad Ruhwedel’s skate two minutes into the final frame.

With Carey Price flashing the form that earned him the Hart Trophy two seasons ago, it looked as though the locals would finish the year on a sour note. However, with 55 ticks left in regulation play and Fleury pulled for an extra attacker, Justin Schultz ripped off a shot from center point. The puck smacked the chest of the ubiquitous Sheary—dutifully stationed to the right of the Montreal net—and deflected in.

Then, working on a 4-on-3 power play in overtime, Kris Letang chipped the puck off the sideboards to Kessel, who circled high in the Canadiens’ zone. Spotting Malkin all alone at the top of the right-wing circle, No. 81 dished a perfect pass to Geno, who beat Price with a blistering one-timer high to the glove side.

The goal not only gave the Pens a hard-earned comeback win and sent the faithful home happy, it vaulted the rangy Russian into a tie for the NHL scoring lead with Edmonton phenom Connor McDavid. A lone point ahead of teammate and top goal-getter, Sidney Crosby.

Not a bad First Night’s work.

Tanger Returns

After missing the past seven games with a lower-body injury, Letang returned to the lineup. The Montreal native logged 25:40 of ice time and picked up second assists on the game-tying and winning goals.

Olli Maatta, likewise, dressed after missing the past two games due to illness. The 22-year-old Finn picked up his third assist of the season on Kessel’s goal.

To make room, the Pens scratched veteran Steve Oleksy, who played in each of the previous four games. Ruhwedel filled in for the injured Brian Dumoulin.

Flower Power

Following a rocky stretch in November, Fleury quietly has rounded into top form. Over his past nine games dating back to a 6-2 victory over Dallas on December 1, the willowy netminder’s posted a .924 save percentage, to go with a 2.59 goals against average and a 6-0-1 record.

In his past four outings? Flower’s been outstanding, boasting a 1.79 goals against average and .943 save percentage. Not to mention a 4-0 record.

Hagelin Hot

Fleury’s not the only Penguin to enjoy a resurgence of late. Following a sluggish first half, Carl Hagelin’s heating up. Traditionally a streaky scorer, the speedy winger’s tallied two goals and five points over the past three games, including a pair of assists on Saturday night.

Fellow Swede and best friend Patric Hornqvist has three goals in his past six.

Overall, Malkin (7 goals, 21 points) and Crosby (11 goals, 20 points) paced the black-and-gold attack in December. Slightly ahead of Schultz (6 goals, 18 points) and Kessel (6 goals, 17 points).