Penguins Rebound to Even Series

I don’t believe I’m being overly dramatic to suggest that last night’s Game 2 at PPG Paints Arena was a must-win for our Penguins. Lose, and our chances to come back and take the series virtually evaporate. Especially with the venue shifting to Long Island for the next two contests where Islanders coach Barry Trotz will have the final change.

Fortunately, our guys delivered with a gem of an effort that was equal parts determination, skill and intensity, with a dollop of character thrown in for good measure.

Just past the three-minute mark Bryan Rust, “the Rusty Razor,” picked off a botched clearing attempt by the usually redoubtable Ryan Pulock and beat Semyon Varlamov high glove side with a knuckling wrister from the top of the right circle. Setting the tone for a dominating opening frame in which the Pens outshot the visitors, 19-13. Indeed, the Islanders seemed awash at times in a tidal wave of black and gold.

After Tristan Jarry foiled Anthony Beauvillier twice on a 2-on-1 with help from Kris Letang, the Pens countered on a great bit of teamwork by the second line. Kasperi Kapanen shook off a hard check by Adam Pelech to nudge the puck to Jared McCann behind the net. The Pens’ winger wasted no time, delivering a crisp backhand pass to Jeff Carter cruising through the left circle. The big guy coolly sliced through the slot and beat Varlamov with an against-the-grain shot off the far post. Stick side, for those keeping track.

Two-zip, good guys, heading into the first intermission.

Of course, these are the Islanders…dogged, determined and disciplined. You just knew they weren’t going away. They tilted the ice in the other direction in the second frame, especially after Josh Bailey took full advantage of a black-and-gold breakdown and beat Jarry with a wicked backhander from the left circle while we mostly stood around and watched.

The temperature rose considerably on the ensuing shift when Brandon Tanev attempted to pickle-stab the biscuit past Varlamov while diving to the ice. The feisty Pens winger crashed into the Isles’ goalie to touch off a heated five-on-five scrum.

The Pens survived a late push by the Isles and went to the locker room clinging to a 2-1 lead. An advantage that would stand up through an exhilarating, nerve-racking final 20 minutes that included 26 shots on goal (16 by the Pens) and a horribly ill-conceived penalty to Rust with 1:28 left for closing his hand on the puck.

Despite being down two men (the Isles pulled Varlamov) the Pens were at their plucky best, allowing only one shot and two shot attempts, both by Oliver Wahlstrom,  during the man advantage. Remarkably, none in the final minute.

Puckpourri

The Pens outshot the Isles, 45-38, and won 52 percent of the faceoffs. The blue and orange outhit us, 46-37, and blocked 16 shots to our seven.

Although we held a 27-21 edge in scoring chances, the Islanders enjoyed a significant advantage in high danger chances (14-8) at 5v5. Indeed, the Pens seemed to fall back into a perimeter game in the final period, perhaps in an effort to protect the lead.

Following an iffy Game 1, Jarry was calm, cool, collected and razor-sharp, stopping 37 of 38 shots to earn first-star honors.

The fourth line of Tanev, Teddy Blueger and Zach Aston-Reese was a force throughout the game, applying consistent pressure while dominating in 5v5 chances (13-6). The Sidney Crosby (17-11) and Carter units (15-8) enjoyed similar advantages.

Tanev led us with six hits, followed by Jake Guentzel and Evan Rodrigues with five apiece. Jake paced us with seven shots on goal. Sid and Cody Ceci had five each. Letang (three blocks, three shots, two hits) logged a game-high 26:42 of ice time.

Brian Dumoulin left the game early in the third period after being rammed into the end boards by Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Mercifully, the big defender returned after a few minutes.

The Pens recalled four “Black Aces” from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, forwards Anthony Angello, Kasper Bjorkqvist and Drew O’Connor along with defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph.

Sid-Senational

I apologize in advance for not having more details. But as well as Jarry played, the save of the game…and perhaps the series…may well have been authored by Crosby. With Jarry stranded far from his net, Sid scrambled to the crease to swat aside an attempt at the vacated net by an unknown Islander.

I’ve written this before, but it bears repeating. Is there a better 200-foot player in the game than No. 87? Or a better leader?

Opinyinz

I hate to be a doubting Thomas, especially in the wake of such a delicious and hard-earned victory. One that required every ounce of our energy, intensity and heart. But I can’t help but pose the question.

Are the Pens built for playoff success?

My concern is fueled to a large degree by watching the rough treatment afforded Guentzel. It seemed every time I looked up, the plucky scoring star was being knocked to the ice or hammered in the corner or along the wall. While Jake’s as gritty and game as they come…he never backs up an inch and plays through the abuse (a team-best 11 shots on goal through two games)…I wonder if the pounding he’s absorbing is exacting an undue toll.

The same goes for the rest of the team.

I guess we’ll soon find out.

Around the League

Vegas evened their series at 1-1 with Minnesota, clipping the Wild, 3-1, behind Marc-Andre Fleury’s 34 save-performance. Tampa Bay went up 2-0 on Florida.

The Bruins and Capitals are knotted at 1-1. Carolina is up 1-0 on Nashville; Colorado holds a 1-0 edge over St. Louis. Edmonton-Winnipeg get under way tonight, Montreal-Toronto tomorrow night.