Penguins Show Mettle, Top Bruins 2-1

Just past the seven-minute mark of the third period of our surprise 2-1 triumph over Boston at TD Garden last night, I was focusing on Philip Tomasino as he wheeled through the Bruins’ zone.

I made a mental note at the time of how impressive he looked. The plus skating I’d heard about was very evident, as were his hands and hockey sense. Then the newcomer did something unexpected. Taking a sweet feed from Evgeni Malkin, he drove to the net and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal.

Hard to believe given the kid’s obvious skills it was his first NHL goal since January 31.

Could POHO/GM Kyle Dubas finally have added a real hockey player?

Of equal if not greater import, could we actually have a real hockey team?

To my eye, this was by far our most impressive game of the season. We played the way we need to play in order to be successful. On our toes, for sure. But buttoned-down, patient and opportunistic, too.

A witness to our new-found attention to detail? Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson both made key defensive plays, saves actually, in the waning minutes with the game on the line, enabling us to protect our one-goal edge.

I’m not sure what’s gotten into Karlsson of late. Over the past three games he’s collected five helpers and looked very much like his former Norris Trophy self. He and tandem-mate Marcus Pettersson were dominant.

Nobody expects Karlsson to be the second coming of Scott Stevens. However, if he can pay at least cursory attention to his defensive chores, it would be an enormous boon to our fortunes. As he showed last night, he’s certainly capable.

In many ways, he’s the straw that stirs our drink. As EK65 goes, to a large degree so goes the team.

Speaking of turnarounds, Tristan Jarry was terrific last night. After yielding an early goal to Charlie Coyle, he shut ‘em down to the tune of 31 saves, many of the clutch variety. In those rare instances when he faltered, his teammates were there to cover for him, as it should be.

I sense a simmering resolve in Tristan, as if he’s determined to prove his legion of critics (including me) wrong.

And give coach Mike Sullivan his due. Only a handful of days ago, this bunch looked for all the world like it was seeking a quiet place to lie down and die.

Sully wouldn’t let ‘em, turning up the volume on his booming baritone at practices on at least a couple of occasions to make sure his charges got the message he was sending. He’s willing his troops back into the playoff hunt.

So is Sidney Crosby. My word, what a play he made (orchestrated is a better word) at the tail end of the second period!

In the waning seconds he repositioned his point men, won a faceoff and drew the puck back to designated triggerman Rickard Rakell, raced behind the net to collect the ensuing rebound and fed Rakell in the slot for the game-tying goal. All with 0.8 seconds to spare.

Watching the video replay, it was obvious Sid was a step ahead of everyone else on the ice, mentally and physically.

The level of detail in his game? Astounding. Small wonder he’s one of the all-time greats.

Grrrr…

I know my plea will fall on deaf ears, but I have to get it off my chest. Once again a Penguin superstar was the target of a foe attempting to take liberties.

With a dozen seconds left in the opening period and Malkin stationed in front of the Bruins’ bench, Nikita Zadorov reached out from his perch on the pine and nudged No. 71 with his stickblade.

Understandably startled, Malkin wheeled and slashed his antagonist/countryman in retaliation, which quickly drew reprisal from combative Boston forward Trent Frederic.

Geno’s no wimp, far from it, and he can certainly handle himself in a scrap. And maybe having a tougher player riding shotgun, say a guy like Nick Foligno for the sake of argument, wouldn’t have prevented Zadorov’s shenanigans.

But you can bet your bottom dollar Foligno would’ve made a bee-line for Zadorov and/or Frederic at the earliest opportunity.

In a similar incident last night, Kraken defenseman Will Borgen roughed up Sharks top scorer Mikael Granlund and was promptly set upon by Klim Kostin.

It’s a protective element we’ll never have as long as Sullivan’s calling the shots or, more to the point, influencing personnel decisions.

Okay, I’ve said my piece.

Great win!