Eight is Enough, Penguins Drub Sabres

Back in the day there was a comedy-drama TV series titled Eight is Enough about a family with eight kids (dear Lord). Kind of The Brady Bunch on steroids. Well, eight goals proved to be more than enough last night at PPG Paints Arena as the Penguins trampled poor Buffalo, 8-4.

Pacing the attack was newcomer Jeff Carter, who’s proving to be an incredible pickup. The big center exploded for four goals…the most by a Penguin in a single game since Chris Kunitz notched four against Washington eight years ago. “Cartsy” was aided and abetted by linemates Frederick Gaudreau (three assists) and Jared McCann (a goal and two assists).

Carter’s outburst spoiled the homecoming of Sabres goalie Michael Houser, who grew up in Wexford and played for the Pittsburgh Hornets. A career minor-leaguer and feel-good story who only recently made his NHL debut at age 28, Houser could do little to stem the tide of black-and-gold goals, although he was hardly at fault on at least a few.

Indeed, the Pens were at their sharp-shooting best, cashing in on eight of 34 shots for a staggering 23.5 shooting percentage. Five-on-five, we enjoyed a 26-13 edge in scoring chances and a whopping 11-3 advantage in high-danger chances.

Despite the lopsided score, the contest was competitive for a while. The Sabres cashed in first on a goal by Drake Caggiula, his first of two on the night. Through the early stages of the second period the score was knotted at 3-3 before our guys gradually pulled away.

Brian Dumoulin and McCann scored in rapid succession to stake us to a 5-3 lead after two periods. Carter capped his extraordinary night with a sizzling backhander early in the third. Then Sidney Crosby got into the act with an incredible sleight-of-hand deflection from the door step.

Jeff Skinner struck on the power play midway through the frame to pull the Sabres within three. But Kasperi Kapanen countered for the Pens, beating Houser with a wicked rising shot from the left circle off a pretty cross-ice backhand feed from Evgeni Malkin.

Puckpourri

Speaking of “Geno,” he’s quietly picked up four assists in three games since returning from injury. He, Kapanen and Jason Zucker seem to be meshing. They combined for five points last night, including Kapanen’s marker.

The Pens outshot the Sabres, 34-23, and won 52 percent of the draws. Typical of our total-team mantra, 11 players tallied at least a point. A good sign as the playoffs near.

With Mike Matheson on the shelf, Marcus Pettersson appears to be upping his game. The gangly defender has a goal and two assists over the past two contests. Among our rearguards, he’s been on the ice for the second fewest 5v5 goals against/60 minutes (1.81), behind only Chad Ruhwedel and lowest among the regulars.

Between the pipes, Tristan Jarry didn’t have his best game, stopping only 19 of 23 shots. However, the contest had a bit of a “Sunday skate” feel to it. While it’s good to have some easy nights, the Pens will need to tighten things up considerably come the postseason.

It appears the race for the top three spots in the MassMutual East will come down to the wire. The Pens currently lead with 75 points, two ahead of Washington with one game remaining. However, the Caps have three games remaining, as do the white-hot Bruins (71 points). The team I’d like to avoid at all costs in the opening round.

Vive la Difference

What a difference a year makes. Last season then-GM Jim Rutherford added Patrick Marleau at the trade deadline in an attempt to add scoring depth and leadership while fleshing out a third line…a move that backfired spectacularly.

This season new GM Ron Hextall rather astutely brought in Carter and…BOOM…the third line is flourishing like none since the HBK Line. The big guy’s a huge reason why. I love his shoot-first, north-south, drive-to-the-net style. The perfect addition.

Ready Freddy

I don’t know why. But in my mind perhaps no player symbolizes this current crop of Penguins more than Gaudreau. Maybe it’s his appearance…with his heavy beard and dark features he just looks like a guy who’s willing to get his nose dirty.

At age 27 he’s seized his second, and perhaps, last chance to make it in the NHL with an iron grip, and he’s showing no signs of letting up…or letting go.

Freddy’s smart, crafty and competitive and always seems to make the right play. He’s been effective at both wing and center (nine points in 18 games, plus-nine, 53.7 percent on draws). We’re 13-4-1 with him in the lineup.

Give Rutherford another gold star for signing this guy.

Future Hopeful

The Pens signed forward Valtteri Puustinen to a two-year entry level contact. Skating with HPK club in his native Finland, Puustinen, 21, was one of the top players in the Liiga this season, racking up 21 goals and 41 points in 51 games.

A former seventh-round round pick in 2019, Puustinen is undersized (5’9” 183) but smart and crafty with an explosive first step and a quick release. He’s drawn comparisons to former Pen Phil Kessel.

MVP

Crosby was named the team’s MVP and also garnered the coveted Player’s Player Award, and rightfully so. At age 33, he’s enjoyed a marvelous season (eighth in the league in scoring) while leading the Pens through an injury plagued season.

Although he isn’t likely to earn consideration for the Hart Trophy…often given to the Art Ross winner…I’d consider Sid a strong candidate for the Selke Trophy and Messier Leadership Award.

While we’re talking trophy candidates, how about Kris Letang for the Norris, Jake Guentzel for the Masterton and Mike Sullivan for the Jack Adams?