Penguins Win Third in a Row, Stave Off Red Wings

The Penguins won their third straight preseason game last night, nipping the Red Wings, 2-1, in the Motor City.

In a most welcome development, Tristan Jarry went the distance between the pipes, stopping 21 of 22 shots in the process. The lone blemish on an otherwise spotless performance, a Dominik Shine tally from the doorstep with 3:40 to play following a failed clearing sequence.

In an intriguing bit of symmetry (or kismet), the Pens opened the scoring 3:40 into the contest on a goal off the rush by top-pick Ben Kindel. The youngster, showing extremely well of late, drove the center of the ice before taking a taking a backhand feed from defenseman Ryan Shea and snapping it past Pittsburgh native John Gibson.

The Pens doubled their lead at 4:38 of the second frame, again off the rush. Working the back end of a give-and-go with Philip Tomasino, Tommy Novak chipped the puck intentionally or otherwise to Filip Hållander. The puck took a fortuitous bounce off the Swede’s shin pad back to Novak, who tucked the puck inside the post at the last second.

Puckpourri

Following a disappointing early showing dating back to prospects camp, Kindel has been coming on like gangbusters. Skating alongside Avery Hayes and magician slick Ville Koivunen, the 18-year-old center and his linemates absolutely dominated the Wings to the tune of an 88.24 Corsi and a 98.26 expected goals for percentage.

Superficially, Kindel, who paced the Pens with five shots on goal, seems to be channeling a Steel City star from long ago. Like Kindel, Michel Brière wasn’t big, nor was he blessed with blazing speed. Yet Michel was smart, skilled and shifty, and a master at changing speeds to evade would-be checkers. A fierce competitor, too.

There are rumblings Kindel could be playing his way into a nine-game trial at the very least.

While we’re at it, Hayes continues to impress and Hållander appears to be coming on.

Is it me, or does Shea look like a completely different hockey player? He’s been most noticeable on at least a couple of occasions with his speed and willingness to join the attack. The heretofore plain vanilla depth defender appears to be faster, not to mention more confident and assertive.

A most favorable development if it continues.

Although Novak’s goal was handsy to say the least, he continues to be a bit of a one-trick pony, as his dismal 2-for-16 performance in the faceoff circle last night would suggest. It’s why the Preds lost interest despite his considerable skill.

Could former first-round pick Sam Poulin at long-last be playing his way into a fourth-line role? His underlying numbers aren’t anything to write home about, but he’s been displaying a bit more of an edge and has been utilized extensively on the PK. At 6’2” 217, he’d certainly add some bulk up front.

Along those lines, a tip of the cap to coach Dan Muse and our brain trust. They’re giving the bubble players every opportunity to show their wares.

More Cuts

The Pens sent five more players to their minor-league camp at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton yesterday, including forwards Cal Burke, Atley Calvert, Aaron Hugen and Nolan Renwick, along with defenseman Finn Harding.