Yes, I know. Only a couple weeks ago I was touting Jansen Harkins for President following his dramatic shootout winner against the Canadiens. However, after watching goalie Alex Nedeljkovic perform signs and wonders of the Biblical variety during last night’s 3-1 trimming of the Islanders?
To borrow from former President Theodore Roosevelt, “Bully for Ned.”
Speaking of, Isles heavyweight Matt Martin attempted some bullying of his own just seven seconds in when he dropped the gloves with Penguins defenseman John Ludvig. Although Martin won the battle, landing a volley of hard rights and sending the Pens’ rookie to the ice, it’s safe to say he and his cohorts lost the war.
Just over two minutes later our recast third line broke out on a jailbreak rush. Valterri Puustinen (love this kid) pushed the puck up the wall to Harkins. The speedy winger ripped free from Noah Dobson and sailed into the Isles’ zone. After forcing Alexander Romanov to sprawl to the ice in a vain attempt to defend, Harkins threaded a pass to Lars Eller for a backdoor goal.
Shades of Sid and Geno.
However, the highlight of the period came with seven minutes to play and Crosby in the box. After turning aside five Islanders shots of varying difficulty, Nedeljkovic got caught with his pants down, or more accurately, sans his stick and mask yet still kept the puck out.
What a battler.
The Peskies widened their lead at 2:20 of the second period courtesy of a goal by the “Mutt Line.” Drew O’Connor scooped up a loose puck along the right wall and plunged into the Islanders’ end on a 2-on-2 with Noel Acciari. Stopping short of the corner, DOC curled toward the right dot and tossed a no-look shot/pass toward the net. Or more accurately, toward Acciari, who was posting up on Isles d-man Scott Mayfield hoops-style. The puck glanced off “Cookie’s” stickblade, then off Mayfield’s skate and through Ilya Sorokin’s wickets.
Four minutes later Penguins Nation received a scare when Matt Barzal followed through with his stick and nailed Sid on the left cheek just under the visor. Mercifully, No. 87 would return sporting a nasty abrasion under his left eye.
Meanwhile, Nedlejkovic continued his magic in the Pens’ net, flat-out robbing Casey Cizikas with a…(what would you call it?)…clavicle save. Knife-blade sharp, I thought for sure Ned would post his second shutout of the season. However, with 6:09 to play Ludvig got caught stumblin’ and bumblin.’ Samuel Bolduc slipped through the ensuing morass and beat Ned stick side to make it 2-1.
Gotta admit, there were a few tense moments near the end. With about a minute remaining noted Penguin-killer Anders Lee broke free in front of our net but couldn’t tuck home a backhander, thanks in no small part to a determined backcheck by Jake Guentzel.
Jake scurried away and proceeded to stub an empty-net attempt off the left post, but Eller emerged from a follow-up scrum to pot the put-away goal for our Pens.
Puckpourri
According to Natural Stat Trick, the game was a reasonably high-event affair. The Pens held sway in shot attempts (87-70), the Isles in scoring chances (43-38) and high-danger chances (18-14). Shots on goal were even at 38-apiece.
With 37 saves, Nedeljkovic was simply sensational. His rebound control in particular? Off the charts. I’ve never seen anyone absorb pucks the way he does. It’s like his body’s a black (and gold) hole where pucks go to die.
We haven’t had a tandem in net like him and Tristan Jarry since the back-to-back Cup days of Matt Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury. A wealth of netminder riches that few, if any other teams, can boast.
Flower, by the way, appeared in his 1000th NHL game last night.
It was great to see the foot soldiers chip in once again. Don’t look now, but we’re beginning to get that depth scoring everyone (including yours truly) was concerned about.
It’s easy to jump on the bandwagon in the wake of a 7-1-1 run. But the Pens seem to be crystalizing from a collection of unassembled pieces-parts into a strong, cohesive unit. I’m beginning to see what POHO/GM Kyle Dubas envisioned when he made his off-season moves. He’s addressed so many needs on so many levels…and in one off-season to boot.
I’ve noted this before, but it bears repeating. These aren’t your grandmother’s Pens. Unlike recent teams of the Mike Sullivan era, this one’s got some gristle and backbone. Take Ludvig for example. The kid showed a ton of guts (and earned the Barclay Plager Award) for taking on Martin, one of the toughest and most accomplished fighters in the league. And late in the second period, Acciari blasted…and I mean blasted…Barzal in retaliation for his high stick on Crosby, which IMHO was purely accidental. I actually felt kind of sorry for the Isles’ star.
Can’t remember the last time I saw one of our guys forcefully send a message and/or stick up for one of our stars. Looks good on ya’, Noel.
Vinnie Hinostroza replaced Radim Zohorna, who in my eyes, may be primed for a demotion. Following an early burst, Big Z just hasn’t asserted himself the way I would’ve envisioned.
On the flip side of the coin, with a pair of goals and three points in his past four games O’Connor seems to be emerging. And what in the wide, wide world of sports has gotten into Harkins the past couple of games? Suddenly, he’s making big-boy plays and looks like a legit NHLer.
Maybe he’s been eating Sid’s oatmeal…or Geno’s red borscht.
On Deck
The Pens (18-13-4, 40 points) host the Caps (17-11-6, 40 points) in a key Metro showdown tomorrow night.
We’re one point out from the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!!!
