In what’s proving to be the most unpredictable of seasons, to say our Penguins have had a way of fooling me is an understatement too massive to properly describe. Waddling headlong into daunting a seven-game road trip on the heels of an ugly 1-3-1 home stand, I thought for sure the bottom would fall out on our flightless waterfowl.
While it still may, for one game anyway our imminent collapse was delayed, due in no small part to a superb effort between the pipes by Alex Nedeljkovic.
In what can accurately be described as a record-setting performance, Ned turned aside 40 shots and tallied a goalie goal and an assist to pace the Pens to a 5-2 victory over the Sabres last night at KeyBank Center.
Talk about taking the ball (puck) and running with it in the wake of Tristan Jarry’s demotion!
Although the spunky netminder was without question the star of the game, he had help. Cody Glass, demoted to the fourth line following an unproductive stint in the top-six and riding a seven-game pointless streak, set up equally snake bitten Anthony Beauvillier with an absolutely gorgeous lead pass before notching a power-play goal mid-game to stake us to a 3-1 lead. In the process, flashing the form that made him a sixth-overall pick.
Rickard Rakell tallied our first of three (count ‘em three!) power-play goals at 1:41 of the second period to knot the score at 1-apiece. Bryan Rust added another man-advantage marker 69 seconds into the third period for our fourth goal.
The Sabres pulled goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (say his name five times fast) with over five minutes to play and promptly cashed in on a goal by second-year pro Zach Benson to add a touch of drama. Setting the stage for Ned’s historic empty-netter.
It wasn’t a perfect game for our boys, not by long (goalie goal) shot. The Sabres tilted the ice in the third period (a worrisome trend of late) to the tune of a staggering 19-3 edge in shots on goal (42-19 for the game). Our 5v5 play and work in the defensive zone left something to be desired at times. But all-in-all, a satisfying…and much-needed…win.
Perhaps the start of better things to come?
Hope so.
Puckpourri
Nedeljkovic became the first goalie in NHL history to tally a goal and an assist in the same game. Way to go Ned!!!
Although he didn’t crack the scoresheet, Evgeni Malkin was fast and forceful. Glass was absolutely flying, too. Hope he can bottle whatever he had going for him last night.
When Cody does score or set up a teammate, it’s usually the result of a really nice play. The kid has skills. He just doesn’t produce often enough.
Good to see Beauvillier get that goal, his 10th of the season, and on a heady and handsy play to boot. Despite being a bit of a yo-yo of late in terms of role and ice time, the ex-Isle gives an honest effort every game. He and Blake Lizotte are the only black-and-gold regulars with a positive plus-minus.
Kevin Hayes has done a nice job since returning to the lineup. Last night he centered for Drew O’Connor and Philip Tomasino (who registered a helper) on what proved to be our most effective line (66.67 xGF%). The 11-year-vet isn’t the fastest skater, but he does a good job of mitigating his shortcomings while playing to his strengths (good vision, puckhandling).
Great dressing room guy, too.
With Kris Letang a late scratch due to illness, Ryan Graves returned to the lineup following a six-game absence and played a surprisingly physical game. The rangy rearguard led our d-men with three hits before getting tossed with just under eight minutes to play following a skirmish with Jason Zucker.
Speaking of the former Pens’ sparkplug, with 15 goals and 33 points in 45 games he’s enjoying a bit of a rebirth with the Sabres. Although I understand why we didn’t, sure wish we would’ve re-signed Zucks following his 27-goal season for us in 2022-23. From a spit-and-fire standpoint, imagine what fun we’d have with both him and Michael Bunting!
Needless to say, love the guy.
Standings-wise and schedule-wise, we’ve got our work cut out for us. The Pens (19-20-8, 46 points) are presently three points out of a wild-card spot. To make matters worse, most of our competition…notably the CBJ and Red Wings…are riding hot streaks and have games in hand.
Tonight’s foe…the resurgent Capitals in DC. Having been in the same sinking boat as our Pens only a couple of seasons ago, the Caps have executed a stunning turnaround following a shrewd and savvy rebuild-on-the-fly. Ovi & Co. are leading the Metro by a whopping seven points and are tied with the Jets for the most points in the league with 65.
Just going to say again, as I said when Jarry did this, I have no respect for a Goalie that would risk a loss for a circus play.
There was still more than 2:30 to play when Ned threw the puck right up the middle of his own slot, without really looking, to score that goal. I am tired of selfish butt Athletes who forget that the game is about winning not getting stats.
I am neither impressed nor happy about the high risk, low reward play of just one more self absorbed Goalie. I thought we were rid of this spectacle type play.
Hey Other Rick,
While I certainly understand your concerns about making a potentially risky play, I don’t have a problem with a goalie going for it if he’s fairly certain his shot’s not going to get picked off. The fact that Ned’s scored in the past and has a reputation as an excellent puckhandler (a la Jarry) perhaps gives him an edge over other goalies who might not be so adept.
In addition to providing a needed feel-good moment, I think this might serve as a “rally around the flag” team-building event while solidifying Ned’s status as the new go-to guy in goal (with Blomqvist receiving a liberal amount of starts as well).
Kind of like putting an exclamation mark on the events of the past week.
Of course, I thought the same thing when Jarry scored his goal last season and we promptly lost the next two games to Philly, so what do I know? Lol.
Rick
Rick,
Watch the play again, Ned lucked out. He turned and fired the puck up his own slot. He really had no idea if the puck would get picked off. More importantly, even if the puck doesn’t get picked off, the teams were at even strength, if it missed the net it would be icing with the resultant faceoff back in his own zone.
I do understand that in today’s world, logic and proportion are things of the past and people prefer spectacle; spectacle that leads to the pathetic mediocrity, the mediocrity in which all Pittsburgh teams are muddled. Way too many fans drink the Kool Aid of Circus Hockey – next everyone will get excited by a player replicating Ned Braden’s Strip Tease.
The play was asinine and selfish at best.