The Penguins pushed the Flyers to the brink, beating their cross-State rivals 5 – 0, taking a 3 – 1 lead in the series. It is said that success has a thousand fathers but defeat is an orphan. Passing kudos around the Penguins’ locker room may take some time so let’s start with the big pats on the back;
As a former Goalie, let me start with the most important position, Goaltender Matt Murray. Murray turned away all 26 shots keeping pace with his former partner in crime (Marc-Andre Fleury) for shutouts this post season, notching his 2nd shutout and his 25th career playoff victory. By picking up his 25th win in 36 GP, Murray enters the record books as the fastest goalie to 25 career victories. Victories are a team stat but the state of the Penguins’ Defense last year’s playoff run and the start of this year’s playoffs, the Goalies surely earned their pay in those victories. If you look on the NHL web site at the game recap, the first 2 videos (denying Travis Konecny and Nolan Patrick) surely are evidence of Murray’s contribution to those 25 victories. In the post-game interview the Penguins’ phenomenal backstop, in typical fashion, credited his teammates for his success. A big shout out to you Matt Murray.!
Sidney Crosby passed Mario Lemieux as the Penguins’ leading playoff scorer of all time, with an assist on Malkin’s opening Goal and then 3 goals later when he notched his 5th goal of this year’s playoffs, giving him 173 career playoff points. All the Penguins’ Captain has done so far this post season is lead the league in post season goals and tie himself for the top spot in the playoffs for points as he leads this team toward that second round match. One more performance like the ones he has posted so far and he will carry the team into that second round. According to the Penguins’ announcers, Crosby in his typical humble fashion reminded us that Lemieux put up his 172 points in less games (107 – 152 GP). No wonder we love these guys. A big shout out to you too, Sidney Crosby!
Speaking of record books, Kris Letang moved himself into a tie with Larry Murphy for career playoff points by a Penguins’ defenseman at 72, with his first goal of this year’s playoffs. Letang picked up his 72 points in 120 games. Murphy got his 72 points in 74 games. A big shout out to you also Kris Letang!
I was and am one of those people who was and is worried about the Penguins’ defense and with good reason. And let’s not delude ourselves, the Penguins’ defense is still not consistent. What is impressing about this team defense though is a serious reduction in shots against per game, 24.3; just 3/10ths of a point off of the league best. However, they are still leaving Penguin’ goalies hung out to dry with the number of times those shots are coming from behind the defense. Going forward, if they can still keep the total shots down, then the Penguins’ goalies should be able to hold the fort.
I am a little reluctant to say this, I am very old school superstitious, I don’t want to jinx anything, but I have to give Conor Sheary credit. Because of his size he still gets pushed around a lot and I did see him have drag himself up off of the ice at times, but the little David was seen taking on the Goliath, Wayne Simmons, hitting him and getting the puck. Perhaps Simmons is a little frustrated and not hitting on all cylinders but his size advantage that doesn’t seem that good of an excuse for Sheary mugging him. I may have doubts about your size but I have never questioned your heart Sheary. At least for now, it isn’t the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog.
Granted the Flyers were without Sean Couturier, due to a freak accident in practice and who knows what game 5 will bring, but for now our Penguins are looking like defending Champions. They have moved one step closer to being the first 3-peat team about 40 years.
3elieve!
A pic of Letang and Dumoulin playing great defense. What are the chances?
I know you were down on Sheary. I was a bit down on Guentzel. Looking back at the playoffs last year both of them took a beating and kept on ticking. I think they played a little softer during the regular season. If they would have played their playoff style all season they probably wouldn’t survive.
Here they are getting the tar beat out of them to make plays once again and it is paying off.
The team has also stepped up their team defense. It’s like they are a whole different team come playoffs playing good solid hockey.
Hey Phil,
That is a great pic, both Letang and Dumoulin are in great position. To bad Crosby couldn’t be in that frame, but you did get 2 of the 3 record tie/setters
Your point is well taken; at their size, Sheary and Guentzel would road kill had they tried to play the way they are playing right now, all season.
Even the number of odd man breaks are dwindling with the drop in total shots. I am loving what I am seeing and hoping they keep it up for 12 more Ws.
If they keep this up, there just may be another parade this Summer! If that happens I may just have buy a round.
Hey Other Rick,
Stan, Guy…love the show. Oops…wrong format … 🙂
Love the attaboys you passed out. In all my years of watching hockey, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better passer in traffic than Crosby. His feed on the Malkin goal…between a defenseman’s skates… was extraordinary. He does this game-in and game-out, shift after shift. Amazing.
I hear ya’ regarding the occasional blown tire on defense. Letang outright fanned on the puck next to the Pens’ net during Philly’s big push, and it nearly led to a tying goal. I really hate to watch him…especially in the ‘d’ zone. Thank goodness Murray was sharp.
Overall, I thought we played good team ‘d’…similar to Game 1. The forwards seem to be backtracking with more energy and intent. When that happens, the defensemen can step up and challenge guys. Dumoulin’s looked particularly strong in that regard.
Having said that, Philly really hasn’t presented much of a challenge. It’ll be a different story going forward.
Still, I’ll take a 3-1 series edge any day. GO PENZ!
Rick
PS–Love your 3elieve … 🙂
Hey Rick,
Blast from the past – I have to admit listening to those guys.
The Pens D is not perfect, but with the reduction in shots they have managed so far, it is giving Murray enough rest to play at his best. You are right, so far Philly has been struggling, possibly just growing pains. Patrick does look like he is starting to acclimate and Konecny is giving fits but overall, they look like they may need a little seasoning.
I am old fashion superstitious (go figure a former goalie being superstitious), so I’ll still worry until the Penguins win the last game they play this spring (or with the snow today is that Sprinter or Wing or something like that).
Amen, GO PENZ 3elieve!!!