Penguins Erupt, Keelhaul Toothless Sharks, 10-2

Back on December 17, 1991, the Penguins feasted on an epically bad Sharks team by the lopsided score of 10-2. Mario Lemieux, Jamie Leach and our beloved Bibster, Bob Errey, notched two goals apiece. Sixteen black-and-gold skaters tallied at least one point that night.

Thirty-two years later (has it been that long?), history repeated itself last night at the appropriately named SAP Center. Powered by a pair of early Reilly Smith goals and two-goal efforts from Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel, our Pens sliced, diced and otherwise made mincemeat of a woeful Sharks squad. One that may well be historically bad before all is said and done.

Fourteen Pens recorded at least one point, including a team-high four points apiece by Smith (2+2), Guentzel (2+2) and Bryan Rust (1+3). Heck, even our fourth line got into the act! Making the most of an opportunity to play, buzz-saw Vinnie Hinostroza tallied a goal and an assist in his black-and-gold debut. Former Shark Matt Nieto potted his first goal of the campaign and Noel Acciari picked up a helper for his first Pens point.

As for the game itself?

Contrary to the lopsided score, there were some tense moments, if only a few. After Smith staked us to a lead 90 seconds in on a power-play snipe from the top of the left circle our intensity predictably waned, enabling the undermanned Sharks to carry the play.

Smith struck again from the doorstep at 12:55 to douse the drama for a bit, but once again we opened the door for a foe as we’re wont to do. Guentzel was whistled for slashing at 16:10, followed to the box in short order by Marcus Pettersson on a tripping minor at 17:19 to hand our hosts a 5-on-3.

Mikael Granlund had the best opportunity against his ex-mates but, typical of his brief stay in the ‘Burgh, his shot missed the net. Pettersson was sprung on a breakaway as he exited the penalty box, but Mackenzie Blackwood made the save to keep the score 2-0. A momentary stay of execution, as it turned out.

Having dodged a bullet, the Pens pulled away with a five-goal second period onslaught. Guentzel scored his first of the game 3:21 into the frame on a pretty net-front redirect off the rush. A scant 65 seconds later Hinostroza got into the act. The speedy winger plucked a loose puck off the end boards courtesy of a hard Acciari forecheck and appeared to bank it in off the luckless Granlund.

Anthony Duclair brought the Sharks back to life with a power-play tally at 8:34. However, 38 ticks later Malkin smoked Blackwood from the slot to make it 5-1. Followed in short order by goals from Kris Letang (9:27) off an absolutely filthy, no-look, backhand feed from Sidney Crosby and Nieto (11:53).

The carnage continued unabated in the third period against the Sharks’ rookie backup Magnus Chrona. Rust (0:49), Malkin (11:20) and Guentzel (12:10) lit the lamp to run the final score to 10-2.

While it was great to see our boys break out in a big way, in the process snapping a two-game losing streak, a little perspective. The Sharks had lost their previous game to the Canucks by a 10-1 count. As my esteemed colleague, Other Rick, is fond of saying, we beat the on-ice version of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Let’s see us do that against a real team.

Puckpourri

According to Natural Stat Trick, we dominated the stats, although not to the extent you might think. We held the high ground in shot attempts (64-54), shots on goal (35-26), scoring chances (37-29) and high-danger chances (22-10).

Hate to keep harping on this, but it’s right there in black and white. We’re 4-0 when we attempt less than 70 shots a game, 0-6 when we attempt 70 shots or more. For our Pens, less is definitely more.

Tristan Jarry made 24 saves on 26 shots. None bigger than a blocker-pad stop on sharpshooter Mike Hoffman moments before Smith countered to make it 2-0.

Sid played in his 1200th career game. Jake scored his 200th career goal.

Still no goals for Rickard Rakell, but he picked up two assists. On Malkin’s first goal he selflessly passed up an opportunity to shoot, electing instead to move the puck to Smith, who in turn fed Geno.

We’re pullin’ for you, RikRak.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph returned to the lineup after a five-game absence, replacing Chad Ruhwedel. POJ registered an assist and a plus-1 in 18 minutes of ice time. Ryan Shea shifted to the right side.

The tandem of Pettersson and Erik Karlsson finished a plus-5 each. EK65 tallied a pair of assists in his return to San Jose.

While I credit Mike Sullivan for finally (FINALLY) sitting a spent Jeff Carter in favor of Hinostroza, I wonder what took him so long. I’ll go a step further. If we wind up missing the playoffs by a point or two like last season because of our early season funk and a reluctance on the part of our coach to make this very necessary adjustment?

I’ll let you fill in the blank…

I wonder if the ultra-speedy Duclair might be a Kyle Dubas trade target if we’re in contention for a playoff spot at the deadline?

Hate to poke holes in a much-needed win, but we continue to make the same old mistakes. The Sharks just couldn’t capitalize. Good teams will.

I truly feel sorry for the Sharks and their fans. Just glad they didn’t bust out against us.

On Deck

The Pens (4-6) continue their road trip with a rematch against the Ducks (6-4) on Tuesday night, followed by a Thursday night tilt with the Kings (7-2-2).