Thrashers 4, Penguins 3

Watched the game in the noisy bar tonight (thus, no sound), but the Pens sure looked like they were hopping. They played pretty well too. The difference in the game can be pinpointed to one brief period. Mellanby buys a penalty late in the third and the Pens can't kill it. The Pen immediately get the even-up call (six seconds after the penalty) and can't score. That tells the story right there.

Malone played tonight, either because he's been showing more effort, or the team told him it was his chance to showcase himself. He scored a goal, but I didn't notice too much else out of him. He still tries to dipsy-doodle around people with the puck, which he's really not all that good at.

Christensen was a scratch, and I didn't hear any reason as to why, but it's not a complete surprise with his reduced ice time lately. He's been supplanted on the power play by the likes of Ouellet and Surovy, and rightfully so. Ouellet is having a great stretch, scoring two more goals tonight. He's in the right place at the right time.

The Pens really need Palffy to get a few in the net. Someone on that line needs to be a consistent finisher, and I'm not sure it's going to be Surovy yet.

This was game #41. The Pens are halfway through the season. The playoffs, which were looking good just a few days ago, are now not looking so good, as the team gave up four points to the current #8 seed without getting anything on their own. That really hurts.