Playoff Penguins Shutout Bruins

The playoff Penguins arrived in style yesterday afternoon at PPG Paints Arena. No, not the ones we’ve been accustomed to seeing over the past few postseasons. These Pens harkened back to the Cup years, back-to-back vintage.

From top to bottom, everyone did their part and everyone contributed. Tristan Jarry picked a great time to post his first shutout of the season, stopping all 30 shots the Bruins lobbed his way. Jake Guentzel provided all the offense we needed, whipping a beautiful feed from who else but Sidney Crosby past B’s rookie goalie Jeremy Swayman from the left faceoff dot four minutes into the final period.

Although both clubs played remarkably crisp, tight-checking hockey, our guys dominated in quality opportunities. According to Natural Stat Trick, we held a surprising 30-13 edge in scoring chances and an equally impressive 11-2 advantage in high danger scoring chances.

With the playoffs just around the corner, yesterday’s effort bodes well for our Pens.

“It’s good for our team to get into these types of games,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “We’ve got to find a comfort level in playing in a one-goal, low-scoring game because that’s the nature of high-stakes environment hockey. That’s the way it’s going to be when you play a top team in the league like Boston. They’re as good as a defensive team as there is in the league.

“We knew we were going to have to fight for every inch out there.”

Yesterday our guys did just that.

Puckpourri

The Bruins outshot the Pens, 30-29. However, the locals held a 52-45 advantage in total shot attempts and a general edge in territorial play.

We won 52 percent of the faceoffs. Hits were dead even at 33 apiece. Resisting the urge to muscle up, the Bruins scratched hulking defenseman and former Baby Pen Jarred Tinordi. Tough guy Trent Frederic, recovering from a non-COVID illness, didn’t play either.

Our third line of Zach Aston-Reese, Teddy Blueger and Kasperi Kapanen combined for 10 shots on goal…a game-high five by “Kappy.” ZAR and Jared McCann led the way with five hits apiece.

Typifying our total team effort, each skater on the ice had a hand in our goal. Kris Letang kept the puck alive at the right point and wrapped the puck around the dasher to Brian Dumoulin along the far boards. Bruins forward Sean Kuraly poked the puck loose, but Bryan Rust made hustling play at the left point to intercept the biscuit and backhand it to “Dumo,” who in turn fed Guentzel. Jake slipped the puck to Sid, who smartly created time and space by drifting toward the corner before hitting No. 59 in stride with a return pass. Guentzel deftly avoided Mike Reilly’s stick check and roofed a shot top shelf over Swayman’s glove.

A sniper’s goal and pretty play to boot.

The Pens improved to 3-3-1 against Boston.

The victory propelled us into first place in the MassMutual East with 67 points, one point up on Washington and four up on the Islanders, who each have a game in hand. Boston (two games in hand) sits seven points back. The Rangers remain on the fringe, four points behind the Bruins.

Two Stars

I continue to marvel at Crosby’s excellence. Sid’s tallied points in 35 of his 48 games this season; 23 of 28 since March 1. I almost take him for granted because he’s so consistent. But make no mistake, he’s a special player doing special things. At age 33, he’s still at or near the top of his game.

A truly remarkable athlete.

A shout-out to Letang as well. He doesn’t get much love on our blog, but I think he’s been outstanding, especially since being reunited with Dumoulin. More than any other time in recent memory he seems to be avoiding the trap of trying to do too much while playing within himself. As a result, his giveaway rate is the lowest it’s been in years.

His discipline and decision-making have improved to such an extent that it’s freed up Dumoulin to be more of an offensive threat and less a stay-at-home cover up. All the while logging his usual mammoth workload (24:28 ATOI).

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say “Tanger’s” enjoying one of his finest all-around seasons.