There was good news and bad news emanating from PPG Paints Arena last night in the wake of the Penguins-Red Wings game.
First…the good.
The Penguins rallied from a two-goal, second-period deficit to force overtime on goals by Bryan Rust and Anthony Beauvillier (on pace for a 23-goal season). The fact that our guys didn’t dissolve into a confused blur of odd-man breaks against when down?
Small cause for celebration. Or as Evgeni Malkin put it:
“It’s like a great night for the team because this is a small step forward–a better game for us. It’s hard to explain, but I think if we play the same, we’ll have a better chance to win (more games) … with better luck.”
Indeed, the Pens got stronger as the game progressed and dominated the third period. Overall, we enjoyed a sizeable 81-58 edge in shot attempts and a 33-31 advantage in shots on goal, according to Natural Stat Trick. More significantly, we yielded only six high-danger chances 5v5 while doubling that total against Wings netminder Cam Talbot.
With an off-the-charts expected goals for percentage (xGF%) of 94.01, rookie Sam Poulin was outstanding in his season debut. He appeared fully dialed-in and faster than I remember, and he nearly scored the go-ahead goal in the third period on a power move to the net.
Hopefully we can expect more of the same going forward from the husky former first-rounder. We could sorely use a power element up front.
Although the metrics don’t necessarily agree, I thought Ryan Shea played a strong game on defense. He appeared less tentative and passive than usual, even flashing some uncharacteristic aggression.
Michael Bunting continues to play with pi** and vinegar. He assisted on Rust’s goal.
I’ll give a nod to Ned (Alex Nedeljkovic) as well. He stopped 28 of 31 shots and kept us in the hunt.
Oh, and I actually saw Erik Karlsson run a Wings forward into the wall with a stiff bodycheck!!!
Now…the bad.
Moments after Geno had two glorious chances in overtime to put the Wings away and snag the extra point, thanks to a nifty setup from Karlsson, towering Wings d-man Simon Edvinsson beat Ned from the slot for the game-winner. In the process ending our night on a sour note.
Luckless Blake Lizotte got dinged in the noggin by another flying puck, this time while on the ice, forcing an early exit. Hopefully he didn’t sustain another concussion. On a team that lacks both, his speed and pluck have been evident.
Even at our best, we appear jumbled and disorganized much of the time. We sure could use some structure (cough…Mike Sullivan).
My kingdom for a forward or two (or three) who can finish.
In the immortal words of Porky Pig, T-h-h-h-at’s all folks!
Hey Rick,
Even when our Penguins were champions, there were games when they got spanked like Dallas did to them Monday. However, when a team gets spanked, the team always comes out breathing fire the next game and gives it their Sunday best. Well Rick, my friend, if that was Sullivan’s team’s best this team is far worse trouble than anyone can imagine; they still lost to a team that is below 500 in regulation time, (500 overall thanks to their feasting on Flightless Fowl).
Last night, tomorrow night, and Saturday should be games that the team rally’s its season around. Yesterday’s fizzle when they should have been beyond angry really is disheartening and does question whether they can pick up the final 4 points of this soft part of their schedule.
I would ask “How much longer FSG will put up with this pathetic Coaching?” but I know the answer, the army of apologists are out in force, trying to redirect everyone’s attention from the man behind the bench.