“I don’t even know how to assess it,” said Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, when asked about his team’s incendiary 8-7 overtime triumph over Washington last night before an amped-up capacity crowd at PPG Paints Arena.
That’s okay, Mike. I’m not sure I can describe it, either. Except to say that in my 40-plus years of watching Penguins hockey, I’ve never seen anything like it.
I’ve witnessed some wild ones, too. The 10-7 victory over Philadelphia in the 1989 playoffs, when Mario Lemieux scored five goals (and Flyers goalie Ron Hextall tried to kill Rob Brown) immediately comes to mind. So does the 10-2 destruction of the expansion San Jose Sharks in December of 1991. Followed nine days later by a 12-1 annihilation of Toronto.
This tops ‘em all.
It was sort of like the notorious Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in aptly named Tombstone, Arizona, a shootout that defined the Wild West. The Earps and Doc Holliday (Sidney Crosby and the Pens) swapped hot lead with the Clantons and McLaurys (Alex Ovechkin and the Caps) in a 30-second blaze of gun-totin’ fury.
In the hockey version, the Penguins emerged as the last team standing.
Viewing the game on a big screen TV at Wright’s Gym, I watched the Capitals—winners of nine in a row—snatch a quick 3-0 lead. Having seen enough—or so I’d thought—I turned my attention to front-desk duties. I confess that I missed Evgeni Malkin’s first of three goals altogether. Hearing the announcers and crowd react, I glanced up at the TV and noted the score.
At least we won’t get shut out, I mused with a shrug.
Once more turning my attention to work, I heard another outburst. Then another. To my utter amazement, the Pens had tied the score on goals by Conor Sheary and Nick Bonino! In just over two minutes!
Stepping away from my paperwork, I watched in bewildered awe as the Pens proceeded to turn Caps goalie Braden Holtby into a cigar store Indian. Indeed, while the black and gold buzzed the net with kamikaze abandon, Holtby seemed to slow down. Like he was suddenly a character from an old Twilight Zone episode witnessing his own demise.
Finally, after the Pens grabbed an improbable 5-3 lead, Capitals coach Barry Trotz mercifully pulled his shell-shocked starter in favor of backup Philipp Grubauer. To my horror, Washington immediately responded with a pair of goals to knot the score.
“What the bleep’s goin’ on?” I hollered to no one in particular. The words had barely escaped my lips when Malkin chipped the puck over Grubauer’s left pad…with a helpful shove from Patric Hornqvist.
I held my breath while we escaped the remaining 2:41 of the second period with a 6-5 lead.
Good. We can regroup in the locker room and settle things down in the final period.
Wrong.
After Crosby struck for a huge insurance goal, our boys seemed intent on giving the game away. When Olli Maatta drew his second consecutive penalty—a needless trip on Caps strongman Tom Wilson—I seethed. Especially after Washington struck for a power-play goal.
When Bryan Rust inexplicably dangled the puck in the neutral zone instead of working it in deep I winced, sensing impending doom. Sure enough, the Caps pounced on the turnover and struck for the game-tying goal.
“What the hell was the kid thinking?” I fumed, stomping around behind the front desk like a mad man. If I could’ve reached through the TV screen and…well…let’s just say the patrons at the gym were amused.
Following my outburst, I lapsed into a Holtby-like trance. The final five minutes of regulation were a blur.
Overtime, too. Convinced the Penguins would somehow conspire to blow it, I felt more relief than anything when the ubiquitous Sheary burrowed into a net-front pileup and poked the game-winner past a prone Grubauer to snap our three-game losing streak and secure a much-needed two points.
Exhausted, I smiled weakly at the TV while the Pens poured onto the ice in celebration.
Needless to say, I slept well last night.
Hey all,
I’m going to toss a log on the “I wouldn’t be surprised if …” fire.
There’s no basis for this other than my (sometimes) fertile imagination. But I wouldn’t be shocked if the Pens reacquire Ben Lovejoy from New Jersey for Derrick Pouliot.
Lovejoy’s having a difficult time in Jersey (minus-9) where he’s being asked to do too much (20:45 ATOI). Much like when we got him for the ’14-15 stretch run.
But he did such a good job for us last season in the proper role, especially on the PK, and especially in the playoffs. Plus, he knows all the guys and they know him.
Pouliot doesn’t seem to be in the Pens’ plans any more, given how many other guys they’ve called up instead (Ruhwedel, Warsofsky and now Gaunce). Even though the kid’s stock has dropped, I’m guessing Shero–who drafted him–might have an interest.
It just seems like the type of under-the-radar deal that Rutherford would make.
Rick
Hey Rick,
Interesting thought.
A couple things to go with that; if the web site I looked at is correct the Pens have 0 in cap space, who else would be traded to make $$$ room?
I still am no fan of the initial trade of Despres for Lovejoy, but although I wouldn’t be willing to just throw Pouliot away just yet, a Pouliot for Lovejoy trade could help. No it won’t solve all the problems. I really do not think Lovejoy could eliminate the problem. Last year this D worked (with Lovejoy in the mix), but I don’t think trying to recreate it by bringing Lovejoy back will do more than put a band aid on the problem.
I think the Pens really need to make a move bringing in a defensemen of a little more size and grit than Lovejoy to really make a repeat Cup run. Well not unless Murray is given the chance to get his mojo back and stone a couple of teams.
Just supposin’…
Let’s say you convince Shero to take Kunitz, too, for the opportunity to acquire a young defenseman in Pouliot who still possesses some promise.
Earlier this season, Shero was bemoaning the lack of compete and aggression in his team. Well, one of things Kuni still brings on a consistent basis is “hard.”
Say you also wrangle a 3rd or 4th round pick from Shero to balance things out. You’ve bought yourself a draft pick, some cap space, acquired a d-man who can help–especially on the PK–opened up a full-time slot for Guentzel, and created room for Kuhnhackl and, possibly, Sundqvist in the forward mix.
Rick
As I said I definitely think we upgrade the D by bringing Lovejoy back.
And if the Pens play out as you propose, adding Kunitz opens up a lot of cap space, restock WBS a bit with a mid round pick is bonus.
I definitely pull the trigger.
I just think they will need 1 more D.
If the Pens get Lovejoy back, and then also get maybe Wiercioch from Col as well, I would feel more comfortable with the Pens D.
There may be better out there, Wiercioch comes to mind only because of the discussion earlier about Col already selling. I am just musing out loud.
A lot would depend on how the Devils see themselves.
If Shero thinks they still have a shot at the playoffs, he might not entertain such a deal. But if he’s looking to the future…as I’m thinking he is…then it makes more sense.
The Devils have plenty of cap space, so adding some salary (Kunitz) shouldn’t be an issue.
I agree … I wouldn’t mind adding another d-man with size. I confess that I don’t know much about Wiercioch, so I looked up his profile on the Hockey News.
Big kid (6’5″ 202), good skater with puck skills, not overly physical. Cap friendly, too ($800,000).
Kind of sounds like Brian Dumoulin.
Rick
He does sound a bit like Domoulin physically, a little taller, and up until this year a slight edge in Hits and Blocks per game. He also seems to have a slight edge in the rougher play. At least from what I remember. He is no Ulfie, but maybe a little tougher. Anyway, competition of bigger guys on the bottom pair should help.
I would prefer a more proven player but looking down Col roster he looked like the best choice. Johnson’s $6mil for several yrs may be a bit much and I am not expecting JR to make a big splash; Landeskog rumors not withstanding.
PS–The blog has run out of room for responses to this particular post, so I’ll have to do it in a PS.
The guy I would LOVE to get (and who might be available) is Dalton Prout of the Blue Jackets.
Big (6’3″ 222), tough, can really put a hurtin’ on people. As we found out last year when he knocked Malkin and Wilson out of a game in early March.
Affordable, too, at $1.1 million.
We’ll never get him, for a number of reasons. But I can dream … 🙂
Rick
Great piece, Rick … I love the OK Corral metaphor. And I was grateful no one was around to suffer through my language when Maata took that second penalty in the 3rd period! (And glad I wasn’t holding anything “throwable.”)
But there was a price … I just read that Matt Cullen will be out 3-4 weeks as a result of getting his foot in front of that shot in the 3rd period. And the beat goes on …
Thank you, Jayelene … 🙂
I must’ve spun through a half-dozen story lines watching the game last night. Every time I’d decide on something, the tenor of the game changed. Somehow the O.K. Corral idea seemed appropriate … 🙂
I don’t know who I was more upset with, Maatta or Rust. But I was convinced we’d somehow find a way to lose after the Caps tied it at 7-7. Mercifully, our guys hung tough.
That’s bad news about Cullen. Such an underrated cog for us, not to mention leader and all-around good guy.
Searching for a silver lining, he’ll come back well rested in time for the stretch run. And his absence might open the door for Oskar Sundqvist, who’s having an excellent season with the Baby Pens.
Rick
I agree, Rick, Matt’s an inspirational guy. Playing at his level of intensity, and at his age, makes him a great role model for his younger teammates. I like silver linings, so I’m on board the Oskar Sundqvist wagon. It’ll be fun to see what he can do now. (His Wilkes offensive numbers are more impressive this year (32 points in 37 games) than last year (17 points in 45 games), so maybe he just wasn’t ready in 2015-16.) Go Pens!
Hey Jayelene,
I may have been a tad premature in suggesting the Pens would call up Sundqvist. It sounds like they’re planning to use Eric Fehr to fill Cullen’s spot.
Probably not a bad move, given Eric’s size and experience. Not to mention that center’s his preferred position.
Rick
Hi Rick, I’m a fan of Eric’s, going back to his AHL days, so I hope this works out. Still, it seems like it would be a great opportunity to see what Sundqvist can do. Thanks for the update. 😉
Hey Rick and Jayelene,
I have been wanting to see Sundqvist up with the big club for a couple of years now. I think he plays some of the best positional hockey. However, in this situation, I am thinking that moving Fehr to C while Cullen is out is the smarter move.
1) I think Fehr has played much better when playing C.
2) Kuhnhackl has played well enough not to be sitting. In fact I think he has out played Fehr as RW.
3) Sundqvist is more and better ice-time in WBS than he would here.
4) WBS has served the Pens so well, unless the Pens really need him, I wouldn’t want to deprive them of both Geuntzel and Sundqvist if I didn’t have to.
Hi Ricks!
Sheary: “I’m your Huckleberry.”
It was fun to watch though I’m sure neither coach is thinking, “Boy, we played a great game.” More like, “What the hell was that?” But, two points against the Caps are of the most savory kind. Best off all, Ovie didn’t score a goal.
Wish they could do that on the road.
Hey 55 on Point,
One of the all-time great movie lines … 🙂
I hear ya’ about wishing we could beat the Caps (or other good teams) on the road. Unfortunately, with Letang, Dumoulin and now Cullen out, I don’t know if our checkered play away from home is going to improve. At least in the near future.
Still, as you so aptly noted, our Pens ain’t dull … 🙂
Rick
Believe it or not Rick, I was wondering if you would make an allusion to Wyatt Earp and his boys when you wrote this morning. I was thinking the same thing. What was it that Kurt Russell/Wyatt said to Ike “You called down the Thunder” and wow did the O bring the Thunder. Just one question, who is who, is Crosby Wyatt or Doc and then would Malkin be the other. Of course they had a pretty good cast of a supporting posse; Sheary, Rust, Shultz, Hornqvist, Kessel, Daley, should I go on.
I read elsewhere where some where berating Murray for the beating his stats took at the hands of Johnny Ringo/Ovie and his crew. But boy did I feel sorry for both Murray and Mr Vezina Holtby who got chased. Usually you only see the amount of firepower that played last night in an All Star game and those All Star goalies get the same exact treatment or should I say abuse.
Hey Other Rick,
Great minds (???) think alike … 🙂
I don’t know about you. But I don’t think I’ve ever felt so wrung out after watching a Pens game. And that includes the playoffs.
Not exactly what Mike Sullivan refers to as “playing the right way.” But a loss would’ve been devastating. Especially after coming back from an early 3-0 deficit and then retaking the lead after the Caps knotted it up at 5-5.
Obviously, there’s work to be done. But I’ll take a win–especially over the Caps–any day of the week.
Hopefully, Matt Murray’s psyche isn’t as dinged up as his goals against average.
Rick
Hey Rick,
Did you say great minds think alike or stink a like 🙂
Anyhow, agreed there is a lot of work to be done. Even though the Pens played a very good offensive team, the turnstile D has to be addressed. Part of outscoring and opponent is making sure the other team doesn’t get too many. When it becomes a question of a who has the last shot, chances are pretty good you end up on the wrong side of a 7 game series.
I thought it was a good idea not to pull Murray and to put him back out there next game. Although I do believe Murray has much better mental toughness than Fleury but I can’t help believe that this yo yo rotation strategem could erode even Terry Sawchuck or George Vezina’s confidence. I really believe the team is shooting itself in the foot right now.
I also believe now that it was a major mistake not to take the 2nd round pick from Calgary and Fleury a fresh start. Although Fleury is having a very forgetable season, I think he would have been at least close to the Fleury of old had been given the reins in Calgary and I think Calgary would have been infinitely better off. \
As for the Pens, I do agree that a 2nd round pick is way low for Fleury, I also understand that since the Pens weren’t taken on any new salary in the trade they could have gone after a high price FA even if the FA they got wasn’t a D man like they need. They could parlay that newly signed FA or another F that the FA could replace and get the D man they need. They could also have gotten a fair back up.
Even if the back-up didn’t have Fleury’s pedigree, I doubt the team would have been that much worse off, despite the couple of nicks to Murray, particularly if that back-up was Condon who is doing a yeoman’s job in Ottawa.
Oh and yes I too had to struggle to watch the game, I kept turning away from the game to let my BP come back down.
Go Pens!!