Penguins Better but Pitchforked by Devils

The Penguins endured a tough loss to Metro foe New Jersey last night at PPG Paints Arena by a 4-2 count. Yet despite the defeat…our fourth in a row…there were some positives. Overall, our process was good and I was pleased with our effort. A hollow victory, perhaps, but a step in the right direction and a far cry from the previous post-holiday debacles.

Indeed, at the outset the Penguins employed the disciplined, patient style that served as the bedrock for their 15-3-3 run. No easy feat against a fast, young and talented Devils squad.

Our patience paid off at 14:26 of the opening period. Evgeni Malkin alertly stole the puck from Dougie Hamilton high in our zone, burst up ice on a breakaway and labelled a three-iron bank shot under the far post and past Vitek Vanecek. Literally a 10-bell goal if there ever was one.

At the opposite end of the rink, Tristan Jarry made 11 first-period saves, including two big stops on Miles Wood in the final minute to preserve our one-goal lead.

If the opening frame was an ode to buttoned-down hockey, the second period was…well…I’m not sure exactly how to describe it. Chaotic perhaps?

Hamilton appeared to knot the score at 3:21, beating Jarry with a laser from the right faceoff dot. However, referee Garrett Rank ruled that Eric Haula had interfered with Jarry (Haula jostled his stick ever so slightly) and waved the goal off, drawing a challenge from Devils skipper Lindy Ruff.

The call on the ice stood and the Pens were awarded a power play. We weren’t able to convert, a theme that would…unfortunately…carry through for the rest of the evening.

Minutes later Teddy Blueger was whistled off for tripping. During a crucial faceoff, Bryan Rust was caught napping on a quick puck drop by a linesman, leading to a game-tying tally by Jack Hughes.

Pens coach Mike Sullivan went berserk…I mean he literally lost his mind while protesting the call…and got slapped with a bench minor. Fortunately, our penalty killers bailed him out.

Shortly after a mid-period penalty to Devils d-man Kevin Bahl expired, the Pens struck for what for all intents and purposes was a power-play goal. Using his wheels to full advantage, Pierre-Olivier Joseph pounced on a weak clearing attempt by Jonas Siegenthaler. Displaying more moves than Mae West, to coin a favorite Mike Lange phrase, POJ scampered around and through four defenders on a scintillating rush before setting the puck on a tee for Jeff Carter, who drove it home.

With a 2-1 lead and Jarry looking sharp, we appeared to be in control. But after moving the Pens around like pawns on a chess board, the Devils knotted the score at 17:37 of the frame on a goal by Hamilton.  A high-sticking call to Igor Sharangovich opened the door at 18:02, but it was the visitors who stepped through. With 38 seconds left in the period, Nico Hischier blew around an exhausted Malkin and beat Jarry clean with a rocket off the far post.

Two opposing goals in 1:45. An all-too-familiar theme.

To make matters worse, Carter was flagged just before the end of the period and Brian Dumoulin went off early in the third period, handing the Devils a 5-on-3 for 1:22. But the Pens’ gritty PK gamely rose to the challenge.

Still within striking distance, our boys appeared to run out of gas. Although not for a lack of try, they had difficulty getting to the puck and controlling it when they did. Perhaps the effect of extreme use of our stars in what was largely a special-teams game, coupled with playing our third game in four nights.

Unable to capitalize on a four-minute, mid-period power play, we battled to the bitter end before yielding an empty-netter to Hughes.

Puckpourri

With last night’s goal, Malkin eclipsed his boyhood idol, Sergei Fedorov, and moved into second place on the NHL’s all-time list of Russian scorers with 1180 points. He trails leader Alex Ovechkin by 272 points. WAY TO GO GENO!!!

The game was even-steven, statistically. The Pens held the edge in shot attempts (56-54) and high-danger chances (15-11), the Devils in shots on goal (28-27) and scoring chances (32-26).

The Devils scored on the power play and shorthanded. The Pens were 0-for-9 on the power play.

Is there an uglier throw-back uniform then the Devils’ red, blue and yellow concoction, an ode to the old Kansas City Scouts? I think not.

Ryan Poehling was a surprise return to the lineup after missing the past three games. He centered the fourth line for Danton Heinen and Kasperi Kapanen. Blueger was elevated to No. 3 center while Carter was shifted to right wing.

With Kris Letang and Chad Ruhwedel out, Ty Smith made his much-anticipated black-and-gold debut. Paired with Mark Friedman, he logged a hefty 22:14 of ice time (11:10 on the power play) and finished a plus-1 with four shots on goal.

Speaking of Friedman, he played his customary feisty game, getting into the kitchen of Wood and several other Devils while dishing out a team-high four hits. Wonder if our coach has noticed he’s a plus-3 in two losses? Probably not. Even though he provides some sorely needed elements like grit and speed, Friedman’ll likely be the first guy banished to the press box when our injured d-men return.

Sorry…a bone of contention with me. Grrrr…

While we’re on the subject of personnel, Drew O’Connor scored his first goal of the season against Detroit. His reward? Sullivan limited him to a pathetic 5:11 of ice time, then scratched him against the Devils. Can’t begin to imagine how demotivating if not downright demoralizing this must be for a kid like O’Connor, knowing you’ll never be given a chance to shine no matter what you do.

I know Sully’s probably at cross purposes and is under pressure to win now at all costs. But, frankly, he’s awful with the kids.

On Tap

The Pens (19-11-6, 44 points) travel to Boston for a Monday matchup in the Winter Classic. With a stunning record of 28-4-3, the Bruins are the class of the league.

We’re presently tied for fourth in the Metro with the New York teams. We have a game in hand on each.