Penguins Go Big Game Hunting, Ward Off Panthers, 5-3

The new-look Penguins showed a ton of heart-and-soul against the Panthers last night in Sunrise, Florida. A gutty, gritty effort that led to a hard-earned 5-3 victory. No one displayed more moxie than Tristan Jarry, who stopped 34 of 37 shots, 16 of the high-danger variety.

Once again (and to my most pleasant surprise), he was a veritable fortress between the pipes.

In a classic tale of two games, the Pens jumped on the two-time Stanley Cup champions while snatching a 2-0 lead on goals by Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell. However, Connor Clifton, subbing for Harrison Brunicke, took a hooking penalty at 8:08 of the second period on the heels of RikRak’s tally. The Panthers pounced, with Brad Marchand potting the first of his two goals on the night.

After that it was Kitty bar the door, as the Cats ran roughshod over the Pens. Attacking in wave after wave, they literally threw everything but the proverbial kitchen sink at Jarry. In the process, piling up an astounding 81-43 edge in shot attempts, as well as a lopsided 37-16 advantage in shots on goal.

Fortunately, our Pens were at their opportunistic, counter-punching best. None better than rookie sensation Ben Kindel, who scorched Sergei Bobrovsky high blocker side from the left circle following a textbook give-and-go feed from Tommy Novak to stake us to a 3-1 lead after two periods.

Any hopes that the Panthers would go gently into the night were dashed when Evgeni Malkin was whistled for hooking early in the final frame. Sam Reinhart ripped the puck between Jarry and the post to pare the Pens’ lead to one.

Cue the fourth line. Scrappy Connor Dewar sliced east-west through the slot and beat Bobrovsky with an against-the-grain shot at 4:49 for his third goal of season.

Four-one, good guys, but not for long. Marchand struck for his second goal of the game at 11:06. (Jarry would gain a huge measure of revenge on his long-time nemesis with just over six minutes remaining with an unconscious leg-pad save while flopped on his belly.)

Fortunately, the Pens caught a huge break on the ensuing shift when Aaron Ekblad was called for interference. The rugged defender had scarcely taken up residence in the sin-bin when we connected on a dazzling tic-tac-toe (and then some) passing play that went Erik Karlsson-to-Bryan Rust-to-Malkin-to-Rakell-to-Sid for a laser-like, one-knee finish.

Cats coach Paul Maurice turned up the heat, pulling Bobrovsky in favor of an extra attacker with 3:42 remaining. The Panthers swarmed, launching a dozen shots at Jarry. Five missed the net, three were blocked, while four found their way through. Jarry stopped all four, including two in the final minute off the sticks of Mackie Samoskevich and Reinhart.

Please excuse my brevity, but I’ll be forgoing my usual Puckpourri section. Life kind of got in the way today.

I will mention in closing the 6-2 Pens have won four in a row. As incredible as it seems, we’re currently tied with the Devils and Hurricanes for the Metro lead with 12 points apiece.

Including our last five preseason games, we’re on an 11-2 run!