Penguins Hang On, Complete Sweep of Devils

The Penguins survived a late scare yesterday afternoon at PPG Paints Arena to stave off New Jersey, 4-2. Breaking out the brooms in the process and completing a three-game sweep of the pesky Devils while vaulting into first-place, albeit temporarily, in the tightly packed MassMutual East.

Determined to put up a fight and snap an ugly eight-game losing streak, the visitors got the jump, piling up an early 5-1 edge in shots on goal while employing a sticky 1-2-2. But the Pens broke through midway through the period on a nifty give-and-go featuring Jeff Carter and Jason Zucker.

After feeding Zucker at the Devils’ line, the big center drove to the net while No. 16 made a sharp move through Jesper Boqvist and Will Butcher before delivering a short return pass. Carter made no mistake, beating goalie Mackenzie Blackwood top-shelf to the blocker side. 

The black and gold increased their lead to 2-0 at 12:50 on the power play. Jared McCann did the honors, pouncing on a loose puck near the crease and whipping it past Blackwood.

The Pens made it a three-goal cushion at 7:30 of the second period. Following a draw in the Devils’ end, Cody Ceci took a short pass from partner Mike Matheson and hammered a shot from center point that double-deflected, first off Jake Guentzel’s stick and then off Bryan Rust and in. It was “Trusty Rusty’s” 20th marker of the season, tying him with “Jake the Snake” for the team lead.

However, the Devils weren’t going down without a fight. Seventy-five seconds later slippery Jack Hughes struck on a busted play to cut our lead to two. Teddy Blueger had a chance to restore our three-goal cushion late in the period on a breakaway, but his backhander clunked harmlessly off the post.

Midway through the final period Miles Wood converted on a beautiful zig-zag passing play to pull the Devils within 3-2 with nine minutes remaining.

Pressing furiously for the tying goal, New Jersey swarmed our net in the closing moments. Nico Hischier had a golden opportunity in the final seconds but misfired from point-blank range. Sidney Crosby scooped up the loose puck and split the empty Devils net from 200-feet away…roughly the equivalent of a 100-yard field goal…to take the heat out of a very hot kitchen and run the final score to a deceptive 4-2.

Puckpouuri

The Pens held a narrow edge in shots on goal (37-36) and won 61 percent of the faceoffs. Casey DeSmith made 34 saves…good for a .944 save percentage…in a bounce-back effort.

Our second line of Carter, McCann and Zucker enjoyed a strong game, collecting two goals and an assist. In addition to his pretty helper on the game-opening goal, Zucker had a team-high six shots on goal and tangled with Nicholas Merkley following a huge hit on Marian Studenic with six minutes to play.

Unfortunately, Blueger left the ice following a late collision with Andreas Johnsson and didn’t return. He appeared to be favoring his left arm. Since returning from a previous injury he’s been “Teddy Terrific,” notching three goals and six points in seven games.

Speaking of terrific, how about the tandem of Ceci and Matheson? Cody has two goals and 11 points in his past 14 games, along with a plus-six. With 11 points of his own—including three goals—over his past 13 contests, Matheson is equally hot.

Sid’s empty-netter was his 20th goal of the season, tying his linemates for the team lead. In the process No. 87 equaled a Wayne Gretzky mark, notching his 16th straight season of point-per-game production. A testimony to his remarkable consistency and flat-out greatness.

The Pens presently reside in second place in the MassMutual East, one point in back of the Caps and two in front of the Islanders. Our next foe, the Bruins, are in fourth place, five points back with two games in hand. The Rangers are in fifth, a distant 11 points behind our Pens.

Let the Games Begin

Having rolled through the soft part of our schedule with a record of 16-5-2, the level of competition ramps up over the next four games. Starting with this afternoon’s tussle against Boston, the Pens have two games with the Bruins followed by two on the road against the Capitals before finishing the campaign with a pair each against Philly and improving Buffalo.

Reverse Mojo Alive and Well

My reverse mojo continues to work wonders. McCann’s goal coincided with my arrival at Wright’s Gym for a workout. Jared waited till I’d turned my back to the TV to stash my keys before tickling the twine.

Rust scored while I was indisposed in the men’s room.

Nice to know I’m helping our cause…lol.