Penguins Outgun Sabres in Shootout

From an X’s and O’s standpoint, it wasn’t the prettiest game to watch. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, sporting a cut on his noggin that required stitches a la Eddie Johnston, rated the contest “sloppy” in his postgame comments. Rightfully so. But the Pens’ 5-4 shootout victory over Buffalo last night before an appreciative throng at PPG Paints Arena sure was a heck of a lot of fun to watch.

Our boys didn’t look so hot in the early going. Displaying considerably more hop, the Sabres outshot us, 14-11, over the first 20 minutes and snatched a two-goal lead. It wasn’t until Drew O’Connor gathered in a loose puck and struck from the high slot six minutes into the second period that the Pens’ competitive juices began to flow. Once they did we took over, overshooting the visitors by a whopping 29-13 margin over the final 45 minutes.

Still, after a would-be tying goal by Bryan Rust (kicking motion) was disallowed and the Sabres grabbed a 3-1 lead on a power-play tally late in the period by uber-skilled Victor Olofsson, I thought we’d bought the farm.

But O’Connor struck again from a nearly identical spot at 3:54 of the final frame and the inspired Pens pressed the attack. Displaying soft hands, the “Big Z” Radim Zohorna redirected a beautiful cross-slot feed from Kasperi Kapanen midway through the period to knot the score at 3-all. However, the stubborn Sabres wouldn’t go away. The reclaimed the lead on a heavily screened shot by Anders Bjork from the top of left circle.

The Pens would not be denied. With 53 seconds remaining and Casey DeSmith pulled for an extra attacker, Kapanen knocked in a loose puck from the doorstep to send the game to overtime. The locals dominated the extra stanza territorially, but couldn’t find the net. However, in the ninth round of the shootout, Jason Zucker notched the game winner with a handsy forehand-to backhand move. A reminder that the pricey winger does possess a goal-scorer’s touch.

An exhilarating finish to a very entertaining game.

Plus

I confess, I haven’t been that impressed with O’Connor…till last night. Still technically a rookie, he scored a pair of pretty goals while skating in the unfamiliar center slot. Looking a step quicker and more involved, he seems to be slowly gaining confidence at the NHL level.

I was very impressed with Danton Heinen. I wasn’t in favor of signing him at all (shows you what I know), but he’s changing my mind in a hurry. He can skate, handle the puck and is more skilled than his recent numbers would indicate. He also possesses a quick release and good hockey sense. GM Ron Hextall appears to have unearthed a hidden gem…and at a bargain rate to boot.

Filip Hallander caught my eye as well. Early reports from training camp weren’t good. But he’s a better skater than indicated and the puck just seems to follow him. Nor was he shy about venturing into the traffic areas.

Big Anthony Angello (an assist plus a game-high six hits) impressed with his speed and physical play. Kasper Bjorkqvist looked solid in a grinding role.

It goes without saying that Kapanen was sensational (a goal and an assist, plus-two) as usual.

Minus

On the downside, DeSmith appeared to fight the puck all night (an ugly .852 save percentage). Still, as he is wont to do, Casey rose to the occasion when it mattered most, stopping Vinnie Hinostroza with an unbelievable heel-of-the-skate save in the shootout.

Newcomer Brock McGinn went to the traffic areas (four hits) but didn’t seem to do much once he got there. Seeing considerable duty on his off-side, Juuso Riikola struggled at times (a giveaway and a minus-one) and had a quiet night.

And the defense in general…yoi. Our habit of waving sticks at the puck (and air) instead of taking the body in front of the net bit us in the nether region on several Buffalo goals. I fear it’s going to be a recurring issue.

Still, all-in-all, a team-building win and a big confidence booster for some of the kids.