Duck, Duck, Goose (Eggs), Penguins Blank Anaheim 2-0

Back in the days of Mean Joe Greene, Mad Dog White and the Steel Curtain, chants of DEE-FENSE, DEE-FENSE filled the air at old Three Rivers Stadium. Don’t look now, but that just might become a familiar refrain at PPG Paints Arena.

In a surprisingly low-scoring battle of the birds last night at the Honda Center, our Penguins blanked the Ducks, 2-0. In the process, snapping our host’s six-game winning streak while running our own to a modest two games.

It was our third shutout of the young campaign, tops in the league. (Yes, it’s been a strange start to the season.)

No great surprise that our goalies stole the show. Notice I said goalies, plural. That’s because starter Tristan Jarry was forced to exit with 75 seconds left in the second period following a net-front collision with Ducks forward Adam Henrique that resulted in a cut over his right eye. But not before Jars made 21 saves, several of the 10-bell variety.

Summoned from his perch, Magnus Hellberg survived the remainder of the period unscathed, then proceeded to stop all 11 third-period shots thrown his way to register the combined shutout, the fifth in franchise history.

On the offensive side of the ledger there wasn’t much to write about, although we did launch 36 shots on the Ducks’ net. Once again proving that good things happen when you go to the net, Radim Zohorna chipped a short backhander from below the goal line that nudged off John Gibson’s right pad and through the wickets at 12:34 of the opening frame.

Remarkably, it was all the scoring either club would muster until the final minute of play, when Noel Acciari appeared to tally an empty-netter with…appropriately…55 seconds remaining. Alas, Jake Guentzel was about a mile offside and the would-be goal was promptly disallowed.

The Ducks’ stay of execution was a short one. Sidney Crosby lofted a backhander from the red line that, incredibly, split the empty net with 20 seconds left to seal the deal.

And there you have it. A tidy, low-event game summary for a tidy, low-event win.

Puckpourri

According to Natural Stat Trick, we had the edge in shot attempts (61-50), shots on goal (36-32), scoring chances (23-20) and high-danger chances (12-9).

Yes, I’m going to keep harping on it. We’re now 5-0 in games when we attempt under 70 shots, 0-6 when we attempt 70 or more. Low-event hockey becomes us.

Our top three lines were dominant in terms of Corsi and Expected Goals for Percentage 5v5. Our still problematic fourth line, not so much, although Vinnie Hinostroza had a great scoring chance early in the contest.

Zohorna’s three goals have travelled a combined distance of about nine feet. Noticed Big Z was parked in the slot on our second power-play unit, putting that huge frame of his to good use.

In a shuffle of struggling defensemen, coach Mike Sullivan sat Pierre-Olivier Joseph in favor of veteran Chad Ruhwedel.

The Ducks, who lead the NHL with five third-period comeback wins, came on like gangbusters down the stretch, but Hellberg came up large. (Pun intended…he’s 6’6” 220). His performance reminded me of a game last December 28 against the Red Wings when he came off the bench to stop all 19 black-and-gold shots he faced. In the process, backstopping the Wings to a wild 5-4 comeback victory in overtime.

Rickard Rakell had two excellent chances from the slot in the second period, one early and one late, but Gibson robbed him. RikRak also set up Evgeni Malkin on a 2-on-1, again to no avail. Good to see him still getting chances.

Speaking of the goalless, still waiting (and waiting) for Drew O’Connor to find the back of the net. I confess, I’m scratching my head over this one. I thought the kid was primed for a breakout. Fortunately, like Rakell, it doesn’t seem to be affecting his overall play.

While we’re at it, we could use a little ‘o’ from our ‘d.’ Only Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang have tickled the twine, and with three goals combined they’re not exactly blowing up the scoreboard, either.

Reverse the Curse

I’d like to think I had a hand in our victory. Yesterday afternoon I suggested to fellow Pooper Caleb DiNatale that we swap Jarry for Gibson, apparently invoking the reverse PenguinPoop Curse. Of course, Jarry responded with a lights-out performance…until he got hurt.

Hope it’s not serious.

Sharks Win!

Just have to mention it. The Sharks beat the Flyers last night, 2-1, for their first win of the season. Former Pen Mikael Granlund had a hand in the victory, assisting on the Sharks’ first goal.

Wouldn’t want to be a Flyer facing the wrath of coach John Tortorella right about now.

On Deck

The Pens (5-6) wrap up their west-coast swing against the Kings (7-2-2) tomorrow night. We remain parked in the Metro cellar, a point behind the Capitals, Blue Jackets and Flyers and three points out of the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot.