Jarry Shines Again as Penguins Blank Coyotes

It’s getting to be a familiar theme, and a most welcome one at that. Last night before a sellout crowd at PPG Paints Arena, goaltender Tristan Jarry stood on his head…and various other parts of his anatomy…to pace the Penguins to a 2-0 victory over much-improved Arizona.

Jarry made 33 saves…many of the spectacular variety…to post his second-consecutive shutout. A feat unmatched by a black-and-gold netminder since Matt Murray posted consecutive goose eggs to close out the 2017 Stanley Cup run.

Jarry also helped spoil the return of former Cup hero and fan favorite Phil Kessel, who received a warm and rousing ovation from the 18,432 patrons in attendance.

To say the Surrey, British Columbia native is piping hot is an understatement of the highest magnitude. He leads all NHL goalies with a minimum of 10 appearances in save percentage (a mind-blowing .943) and goals against average (1.81). His quality starts percentage, a stunning .889 along with an equally impressive goals saved above average mark of 10.41.

Better yet, his sterling performance is rubbing off on the troops. Our boys are skating with confidence, secure in the knowledge their goalie has their collective backs. A case in point, Jarry’s reflex save on Clayton Keller from point-blank range with 7:37 to play to preserve a hard-earned one-goal lead. A lead that stood up thanks in large part to No. 35’s stellar play at crunch time (13 saves in the third period).

This contrasts sharply with Murray, who’s been colder than the proverbial North Atlantic mackerel of late. Indeed, the rangy goalie’s play during his past six starts has been nothing short of dreadful…a record of 0-3-2 with a 3.99 goals against average and .852 save percentage. And while the two-time Cup winner rebounded handsomely last season from a similar icy stretch, there’s no telling when…or if…he’ll get his game together.

With the Pens shorn of key performers like Sidney Crosby, Brian Dumoulin and Patric Hornqvist, it’s imperative their goalie not only keep them in games but steal a win here and there.

Fortunately, Jarry’s been up to the task…literally…given his habit of standing tall between the pipes. Indeed, he looks larger than his listed 6’2” and 194 pounds in net. Too, he appears hungry, focused and supremely confident in his abilities. Again, in stark contrast to Murray.

Lest we forget, Jarry does possess pedigree. Following a strong junior career, he blossomed with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2016-17, posting a 2.15 goals against average to win the Harry (Hap) Holmes Memorial Award in tandem with Casey DeSmith. True, his performance slipped a notch over the past two seasons. Perhaps a case of having nothing left to prove at the minor-league level.

Give Mike Sullivan credit, too. In the past he’s been intractable when it comes to playing favorites, and there’s no question Murray’s his guy. But Sully’s been able to look past his personal preferences and do what’s best for the team.

Right now, that’s riding Jarry in goal.

Who Needs a Heavyweight?

Anyone who’s read PenguinPoop for the past number of years knows I’m an advocate of physical hockey. It dates back to my hockey roots and watching our Pens get pounded by bomb squads like Boston, Philadelphia and St. Louis. Hockey’s answer to Murder Inc.

Heck, you could loosely argue that Mario Lemieux’s Hall of Fame career was shortened by the fact that the Pens didn’t have the requisite muscle on hand to effectively shield him from abuse early on.

More recently, when the Pens dealt away heavyweights Ryan Reaves, Jamie Oleksiak and Erik Gudbranson? Let’s just say I wasn’t pleased.

But there’s fighting tough and hockey tough. In terms of the latter, our current crop takes a back seat to no one. Everyone on this team battles and competes, from leading scorer Jake Guentzel and superstars Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin to worker bees like Teddy Blueger, Matt Lafferty and feisty free-agent Brandon Tanev. Not to mention Hornqvist, arguably the single hardest guy in the league to play against. Perhaps the most hated by the opposition, too.

Guess which team leads the league in hits? Tom Wilson and the Washington Capitals? Nope. Reaves and the Vegas Golden Knights? Second…but nope.

According to NHL.com, it’s our Penguins with 860.

Credit GM Jim Rutherford for assembling this ultra-competitive crew and Sullivan for whipping them into a tightly knit, battle-ready bunch. One that’s second to none in terms of spirit, character and resilience.

The epitome of hockey tough.