With so much going on, this will be a bit of a mish-mash post. First the game summary.
Penguins 5, Devils 2
Character. It encompasses traits like courage, honesty, integrity, loyalty and fortitude. Our Penguins have put theirs on display time and again throughout this most challenging of seasons, both as a team and on an individual level. Embodied last night by the performance of Colton Sceviour.
For those not familiar with Sceviour, the black and gold acquired him from Florida last fall in the Patric Hornqvist trade. He was a throw-in and not a coveted acquisition, coming to the Pens primarily to balance out salary commitments. His main attributes? Speed, grittiness and a spirited personality.
After scoring goals in back-to-back games early in the season, the 31-year-old journeyman was pointless in 21 of 22 games and a frequent health scratch. In one of his first moves, new general manager Ron Hextall put Sceviour on waivers on March 8. There were no takers. Hardly a vote of confidence on either end.
Yet Sceviour persevered. Given more ice time in the wake of a slew of injuries to our forwards, he picked up points in three of five games, including a goal against New Jersey on Friday night.
His reward? He was waived again.
You could excuse the Red Deer, Alberta native for feeling a tad unappreciated. Yet there he was last night, mere hours after clearing waivers a second time, scoring a pair of dirty goals around the net to get us off and running.
That’s character.
Colton isn’t alone. The cavalcade of players who’ve stepped up when the chips are down, from Anthony Angello to Frederick Gaudreau to Radim Zohorna is impressive to say the least. Every night it’s a different hero.
That bodes well for our Pens going forward.
Puckpourri
The Devils dominated statistically, outshooting the Pens, 30-24, and winning 53 percent of the faceoffs.
Jake Guentzel notched the third regular-season hat trick of his career, giving him a team-high 20 goals. An ultra-impressive achievement, not to mention display of character, considering the severity of last season’s shoulder injury. Perhaps there’s a Masterton Trophy in Jake’s future.
Mike Matheson and Bryan Rust had two assists each. Six other players registered an assist, including Teddy Blueger, who made his return after missing 13 games due to injury. Mark Jankowski was a healthy scratch.
Tristan Jarry stopped 28 of 30 shots to earn second-star honors. Sceviour was the No. 1 star.
The Pens have an eight-point bulge over fourth-place Boston (three games in hand) and a 12-point edge over the Rangers and Flyers, our next opponent.
Welcome Back Carter
Okay, the subhead isn’t exactly fitting. But in his first major trade for the black and gold, Hextall acquired forward and two-time Stanley Cup winner Jeff Carter from the Kings for a conditional third-round pick in 2022 and a conditional fourth-rounder in 2023.
Once upon a time an elite scorer who combined impressive size (6’3” 219) with speed and versatility, the 36-year-old London, Ontario native isn’t what he used to be, especially since suffering a major ankle tendon injury back in 2017. But he did net 17 goals last season in 60 games…a 23-goal pace over a full season, and has eight this season, which would place fifth on the black and gold.
A former 11th overall pick of the Flyers back in 2003, Carter can play right wing and center. Areas of perceived need given the ongoing injuries to Evgeni Malkin, Kasperi Kapanen and Brandon Tanev. He can slot in on special teams as well and has 18 career shorthanded goals to his credit.
Carter’s contract extends through next season at a cap hit of $5.27 million. The Kings have retained 50 percent of his salary.
My feelings? At best, perhaps a Ron Hainsey-type addition, which helped solidify us during the 2017 Cup run. At worst? A Patrick Marleau redux.
Let’s hope for the former.
Deslauriers on the Way?
It was reported yesterday that the Pens are seeking to acquire rugged left wing Nicolas Deslauriers from Anaheim.
In terms of toughness, the 6-1, 221-pounder has few peers. In fact, “pounder” is an apt word to describe his playing style. He’s registered as many as 261 hits in a season and has gone toe-to-toe with the likes of Tom Wilson and Ryan Reaves.
With Deslauriers riding shotgun, the Pens would have little to fear from opposing tough guys.
The 30-year-old LaSalle, Quebec native presently has four goals and eight points in 36 games with the Ducks, along with 102 hits. He’s in the final year of a contract that carries a cap hit of $1 million.
Hextall showed interest in Ryan Getzlaf as well.
Around the League
In an effort to bolster their offense, Boston has acquired former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall and forward Curtis Lazar from Buffalo for forward Anders Bjork and a second-round pick in the 2021 Entry Draft.
Toronto continues to accent grit and character, acquiring rugged forward and former Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno in a three-way deal with Columbus and San Jose.
Rick
I heard from a little birdie that the Pens still plan to acquire Deslauriers in
the off-season. The reason they apparently pulled back on the trade was
their concern for team chemistry. From what I understand there were more
players involved in the deal for both teams.
Just thought I would pass that along.
Big one tonight vs the Flyers – GO PENS