Penguins Snap Mini-Skid, Wallop Flyers, 6-3

The Penguins prevailed last night in the most recent installment of the Battle of Pennsylvania by a 6-3 count before of a throng of 17,963 loyalists at PPG Paints Arena. In the process, nipping a nascent 0-2-1 mini-skid in the bud, not to mention a finishing drought that had seen us tally just two goals over the previous three games.

The blood rivals entered the contest with 52 points apiece and practically identical records. However, it was the Pens who got the early jump, thanks in no small part to penalty largesse on the part of the visitors.

Harkening back to our six-game winning streak, the Pens struck for two first-period, power-play goals. Displaying soft mitts, big (and I mean BIG) Justin Brazeau guided home a nifty one-touch pass from rookie Ben Kindel at 2:16. Bryan Rust whipped the puck past Samuel Ersson from inside the left circle at 12:25 to make it 2-zip, good guys.

The Pens made it 3-0 just 76 ticks into the second period on a superb bit of teamwork by our second (third?) line. Tommy Novak fed Evgeni Malkin in stride with a pretty stretch pass off the sideboards. Geno hit the brakes at the top of the right circle and passed to Egor Chinakhov slipping through the back door unattended. Ersson had no chance.

Shortly after, Philly skipper Rick Tocchet pulled his harried starter in favor of Aleksei Kolosov. In an instant, Rodrigo Abols scored for Philly to close the gap to 3-1.

Suddenly alive and swarming, the Flyers dominated the period to the tune of a 34-19 edge in shot attempts.

Cue the Buzz-Saw Line. Less than two minutes before intermission, hustling Blake Lizotte forced a turnover deep in the Philly zone and fed Noel Acciari, who made a bee-line for the cage. “Cookie’s” second-chance whack popped into the air. Taking full advantage of Sir Isaac Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation, Lizotte swatted the biscuit past Kolosov on the way down.

Crisis averted. Four-one, Pens, exiting the period.

Any lingering thoughts of a potential collapse were quickly put to rest as Sidney Crosby (3:10 on the power play) and Connor Dewar (4:27) pushed our advantage to 6-1.

Nick Seeler and Matvei Michkov scored late for Philly to make the score more respectable. But in the words of the immortal Gunner, Bob Prince, “We had ‘em all the way.”

Puckpourri

With six different scorers and 13 skaters collecting points, this was truly a team win for our Pens. Crosby paced the distributed attack with a goal and a helper. Malkin and Novak registered two assists apiece.

Stuart Skinner stopped 30 of 33 shots in yet another solid performance. Big Stu was tough when he had to be, especially in the second period. Over his past five starts (four of them wins), he’s turned aside 113 of 120 shots faced for a sterling .942 save percentage.

What’s more, the team looks extremely comfortable and confident with the big guy stationed between the pipes.

Dare I call the Oilers trade a fleecing for Kyle Dubas? Ditto the Chinakhov deal. Not to belabor the point, but Egor’s shot is an absolute pea…a blur. Would love to see him serve as the triggerman on the top power play. Not to overstate his could-be impact, but I see mini-Ovi potential.

Speaking of shots, Dewar possesses an underrated one. His past two goals have been goal-scorer’s goals. With nine already stashed in his statistical saddle bag, Connor has a legit chance to net 15 this season, which would be incredible for a fourth-liner.

Again, I say extend him like we did Lizotte. Who, in addition to his goal, laid a huge hit on Philly rookie Denver Barkey and engaged Michkov in some fisticuffs.

Although our defense has held up reasonably well in Erik Karlsson’s absence, there’s no doubt we miss his supreme skating and puck movement. Foes are finding it easier to pin us in our own end, like the Flyers did for much of the second period.

Rutger McGroarty (concussion) has returned to practice, albeit in non-contact fashion.

ESPN made much of the fact that our three golden oldies, Crosby, Malkin and Letang, have played together for 20 seasons. Rightfully so.

At age 38, Sid’s on pace for 45 goals. Amazing.

So, too, is the play of Geno and Tanger. Forceful every night, No. 71 truly looks like he’s discovered Ponce de León’s fountain of youth. He’s literally galloping on the ice.

The latter? Contrary to his fast-and-loose rep, No. 58’s been playing some of the best two-way defense of his career for over a month now.

We’re so lucky to have them. And at bargain rates, too.

The Pens (22-14-10, 54 points) currently occupy third place in the Metro. A guaranteed playoff spot! Lest we get too comfortable, both Eastern Conference wild-card teams, the Sabres and Bruins, have 56 points.

On tap, the CBJ at home on Saturday night. Here’s hoping Chinakhov welcomes his old mates with a hat trick.

The Sky is Falling

To quote Chicken Little, the sky is falling in the Big Apple. Or, more accurately, the bottom is dropping out on Mike Sullivan’s Rangers.

The Blueshirts were eviscerated by the Sens, 8-4, on Wednesday night. At home. This on the heels of a recent 10-2 annihilation at the hands of the Bruins.

With a 1-6-2 mark since Christmas, it appears the Rangers have taken up permanent residence in the Metro (and Eastern Conference) cellar.

Not that I saw this coming, but I opined when Sully took the job that he was stepping into a situation very similar to that of our Pens the past few seasons. That is, taking the helm of a team with an aging core and not much in the way of young talent.

Anyway, to say it isn’t going well for our former coach on Manhattan is a vast understatement, especially with stars Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox on the shelf.