‘Guins Win Coyote Ugly, 6-3

For a while, it looked like it was going to be one of those games, didn’t it? When the Penguins perhaps took a struggling foe too lightly and couldn’t get their competitive fires stoked. Especially when the Arizona Coyotes snatched a 3-2 lead early in the third period.

Fortunately, our boys found the on switch to our offense, blowing four goals past beleaguered ‘Yotes netminder Karel Vejmelka (how’s that for a name) in less than nine minutes. I actually felt sorry for the desert dogs as the Pens poured it on, capped by Brian Boyle’s stunning between-the-legs-forehand-flip, which makes me appreciate all the more just how good NHL players are…even aging fourth-liners.

Anyway, back to the beginning. The Pens outshot the Coyotes, 19-7, through a scoreless opening period. However, the visitors did a good job of limiting high danger chances (only four in the period).

Displaying surprising pluck, the ‘Yotes snatched the lead at 8:23 of the second period on a pretty bit of tic-tac-toe passing that would’ve done the home team proud, culminating in a sweet short-side tally by Nick Schmaltz. Working against Arizona’s pathetic penalty kill (31^st in the league) the Pens drew even three minutes later, thanks to a brilliant no-look, backhand, between-the-legs pass from Sidney Crosby to goal-getter Bryan Rust.

The ‘Yotes pushed back, with Clayton Keller doing the honors from the right circle while working on a 5-on-3. Thanks to a gift even-up call on Travis Boyd, the Pens knotted the score at 2-2 on the man advantage, as Kris Letang ripped home another nifty feed from Crosby.

Again, the Coyotes proved to be a tough out. Less than three minutes into the final frame they grabbed their third lead of the night. Schmaltz, who enjoyed a strong game, powered past Mike Matheson and beat a sprawling Tristan Jarry for his second goal of the evening.

Three-two ‘Yotes. At this stage, I’m wondering if the hockey gods have given us the thumbs-down, Roman emperor style.

I needn’t have worried. Two minutes later, Evgeni Malkin hit Evan Rodrigues with a pass at the Arizona blue line. E-Rod bumped the puck to Brock McGinn, who steamed in and beat Vejmelka with a backhander to the short side to tie the score at 3-3.

The floodgates promptly sprang open. Pouncing on a dreadful miscue by Jakob Chychrun, our top crew flew up ice on a 3-on-2. Crosby finished off a pitch-and-catch sequence with Rust with a glove-side snipe from the slot. Letang struck for his second of the night at 11:36, followed by Boyle’s finishing high-light reel flourish two minutes later.

Puckpourri

The Pens outshot the Coyotes, 36-16, and won 52 percent of the faceoffs.

My favorite moment? When Crosby and old friend Phil Kessel “scrummed” along the boards. Don’t know what was said, but there were smiles all around. Gotta love Phil.

Crosby (second star) and Rust (third star) paced the attack with a goal and two assists each. Letang garnered top-star honors, posting a pair of goals and five shots on goal in 24 minutes of ice time. Remarkably poised and productive, Tanger’s playing perhaps the finest hockey of his career. Arguably the team’s co-MVP, along with Jarry. Pray he doesn’t get hurt.

Rodrigues snapped an eight-game drought with two assists. Great to see him get on the score sheet again. Other point getters included Boyle and McGinn (goals). Malkin, Jeff Carter, Brian Dumoulin and Zach-Aston Reese each picked up a helper. ZAR replaced Teddy Blueger, out six-to-eight weeks following successful surgery to repair a fractured jaw. Speaking of going under the knife, Jason Zucker underwent surgery to repair a core-muscle injury.

Although all of the Coyotes’ goals came on decent looks, Jarry was uncharacteristically wobbly, yielding goals on three of the first dozen shots he faced. Tristan’s started 32 of our 42 games this season and has come on in relief in two others. Hopefully he’s not starting to wilt under the uber-heavy workload. Makes you wonder when coach Mike Sullivan might chance a start with backup Casey DeSmith. If not against the Coyotes, then perhaps the Kraken on Thursday night? Stay tuned.

The Pens (27-10-5, 59 points) presently reside in second place in the Metro, one point behind the front-running Rangers. Talk about scorching hot…we’ve won six games in a row and 17 out of our last 19!