Penguins Blank Predators, 4-0, Close out Global Series with a “W”

It won’t go down as one of the NHL’s all-time thrillers. To borrow from color analyst, Colby Armstrong, the game was a bit of a “dog’s breakfast.” A chum-bucket special, particularly during the final 40 minutes, when the Penguins managed to squeeze off just 11 shots on goal after piling up 11 in the first period alone, not to mention a three-goal lead.

However, until the NHL starts doling out style points, a win is a win is a win, and we’ll gladly take it and run.

Determined to make amends for a sleepy, disjointed effort on Friday, the Pens came pouring out of the starting blocks. Parker Wotherspoon staked us to an early lead with a lob shot from center point through traffic just 139 ticks in. It should be noted that Danton Heinen and Joona Koppanen, working on a retooled fourth line, provided a double-layer screen in the slot.

Speaking of reconfigured, the new second line with Kevin Hayes joining fellow big-‘n’-tallers Evgeni Malkin and Anthony Mantha, struck just past the eight-minute mark to up our lead to 2-zip. Once again, thanks to a little Malkin magic.

Taking a feed from Geno, Hayes ripped off a shot that was steered aside by Juuse Saros. As if it had eyes, the biscuit followed No. 71 behind the net. Geno attempted to feed Mantha camped out in the slot, but the puck instead bonked off the right skate of Nicolas Hague and past an unsuspecting Saros.

Oh, to be as good and lucky as Geno.

Not to be outdone, Two-Headed Monster mate Sidney Crosby got into the act just past the mid-point of the period. Picking off a wayward clearing attempt by Justin Barron, Sid lashed a bullet past Saros from the left circle for his team-best 12^th goal of the season. Again, with the aforementioned Koppanen providing a distraction in front.

The Pens proceeded to wrap up the period with a commanding 11-2 edge in shots on goal. Then…pfft. Just as the birds fly south for the winter, so did our game. Aided in no small part by three power plays against in the second period, including a 5-on-3 for 34 seconds.

The contest continued to degenerate into a choppy, muddled affair through the third period. Although the Preds for the most part carried the play, they couldn’t get a leg up. Or more accurately, beat Sergei Murashov, who blunted all 21 shots he faced to post not only his first big-league win, but his first shutout as well.

Blake Lizotte added a layer of insurance with 2:48 left, picking off a blind backhand pass from Jonathan Marchessault in the neutral zone and lasering the puck into an empty Preds cage.

Puckpourri

Although he wasn’t super-tested, Murashov made sure he didn’t give the Preds any reason for hope, gobbling up whatever pucks came his way while allowing precious few rebounds and second-chance opportunities. The cat-quick kid earned a well-deserved first star while becoming only the second goalie in club history to post a shutout in his first NHL victory. Jeff Zatkoff being the other.

At age 39, I still can’t get over how energetic and downright dominant Malkin’s been. Whatever he trained on this past summer (perhaps a super-whack of his Mom’s beloved red borscht), it should become a staple of the team’s nutritional regimen.

Geno sits tied for 14^th in the league in points with 23 (5+18). With 21 points (12+9), Sid’s tied for 21^st. Bravo to both.

Speaking of kudos, a ton of credit goes to Dan Muse, who made wholesale adjustments following Friday’s dismal showing. In addition to the changes previously mentioned, the rookie coach returned Ben Kindel to third-line pivot between ex-Preds Tommy Novak and Philip Tomasino. The trio had the best Corsi (69.23) and second-best expected goals for percentage (82.63) of any of our forward lines.

Connor Dewar was bumped up to Sid’s flank, while Heinen, Koppanen and Lizotte comprised the fourth line. Koppanen (plus-3) picked up his first assist of the season and enjoyed a particularly strong game, of course after I was critical of him. Nice to know I haven’t lost my touch…lol.

Connor Clifton returned to the third defensive pairing following a one-game absence, nudging Matt Dumba back to the press box.

With the victory, the Pens (10-5-4, 24 points) reclaim third place in the Metro. A season ago we were 8-12-4 at this juncture.

Next up, the Wild at home on Friday night.