New-Look Penguins Clip Senators, 1-0, on Sid’s OT Winner

It’s been a strange (strange) season for our Penguins to say the least.

Following back-to-back blowout losses during which we barely displayed a pulse, the last thing I expected was a shutout victory over the playoff-bound Senators last night with rookies Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen filling top-six roles and Tristan Jarry stationed between the pipes.

Especially since the latter yielded eight goals on 19 shots during his last two starts (a .579 save percentage).

However, aided by a surprisingly stout defense, Jarry rose like Job from the ash pile to stop 31 shots for his first shutout of the season.

As for the kids?

By all accounts, both acquitted themselves well, statistically and otherwise.

“I thought they both had great games,” opined coach Mike Sullivan.

Slotted on Sidney Crosby’s portside, McGroarty overcame a busted skate to fire off five shots, including three that found the net, along with four hits and a blocked shot in 16:57 of ice time.

His Corsi and Expected Goals for Percentage (xGF%)? A healthy 65.85 and 60.90, respectively.

Playing right wing next to converted center Rickard Rakell on the second line, Koivunen was just as potent, unleashing seven shot attempts and two shots on goal in 17:28 of ice time while registering a 63.16 Corsi and 51.07 xGF%.

Best of all, concerns about their skating appeared to be unfounded. McGroarty displayed an improved first step and Koivunen was all over the ice, offensively and defensively as well. Just as important, each displayed a willingness to compete and go to the net.

As for the game itself, the Pens started slowly, then came on like gangbusters in the third period, out-attempting Ottawa, 34-9, and out-shooting them, 14-4, over the final 20 minutes of regulation. Still, no goals were forthcoming against Sens backup goalie Anton Forsberg, who matched Jarry save for save.

Two incidents near the end of regulation, both involving Crosby, would prove to be the visitor’s undoing. With 2:36 to play, defenseman Artem Zub tangled with Sid (never a wise idea), with both going to the sin bin. Shortly after our captain returned to the ice, he was hooked by Ridly Greig to hand us a power play heading into overtime.

Just over a minute into the extra stanza, Erik Karlsson drove down the slot before dishing the puck to Sid, wide-open in the right circle. Number 87 teed ‘er up and ripped a slapper past Forsberg for the OT winner.

To borrow from an old Jim Croce classic, “You don’t tug on Superman’s cape and you don’t mess around with Sid.”

Puckpourri

Jarry made 16 saves during a turbulent first period to keep a lid on the proceedings. He earned top-star honors, Sid the second star.

Sullivan abandoned his traditional left shot/right shot tandems on defense, with favorable results. He paired rights shots Karlsson and Conor Timmins and left shots Ryan Graves and Ryan Shea, with Matt Grzelcyk and Kris Letang the only lefty-righty combo.

Although pairing Letang with another puck-mover seems counterintuitive, history shows that’s when he does some of his best work.

Vladislav Kolyachonok was a healthy scratch.

In the heavy-lifting department, Noel Acciari had seven hits (and two blocked shots) and Connor Dewar had five hits. The latter continues to be a pleasant surprise with his scrappy, spirited play.

Sid’s goal (his 27^th) was his 81^st point of the season, guaranteeing him better than a point-per-game finish. Rakell picked up his 64^th point (an assist), five shy of his career best.

Although hardly a reason to sound the trumpets, the Pens reached 30 wins for the 19^th season in a row. With 71 points, we’re six points out of a wild-card spot…with seven games to play.

Up next, we visit Jim Montgomery’s piping-hot Blues in St. Louis on Thursday.