Penguins 5, Bruins 4 (OT - SO - 2-0)

I think the Pens just don't know how to play with a lead right now. They took what should have been a commanding lead, 4-0, halfway through the second period. They couldn't hold it for 30 minutes... but I'm getting ahead of myself.

First off, does anyone else think Andy Ferrence looks like Mini-Me next to Zdeno Chara?

The Pens came out with some effort in the first and it paid off. Malkin and Crosby were reunited (and it felt so good), and it paid immediate dividends with three first period goals. Conklin made the saves he needed to make and the Pens had a 3-0 lead.

During that period, Chara and Laraque got into a fight. They each threw one punch and fell to the ice. The refs were in an insulting mood and only called it Delay of Game. Not sure how it's delay of game when they both throw a punch, but whatever. They both get out of the box and go for round 2, and the same thing happens (one punch and down they go). This time, it's 5 for fighting. I guess the refs were the only ones not wanting to see round 3.

In the second, Crosby dropped the gloves for the first time in his career and fought Andrew Ferrence. He did pretty well too, making sure that Ferrence lost his helmet and throwing some rights. I'm not sure either play connected with any punches, but Sid did okay. He also threw more punches than Chara and Laraque did in both of their fights combined.

The Pens built a 4-0 lead which the Bruins had cut to 4-2 with two goal in the last 5 minutes of the period. You'd think that might inspire the Pens to ramp it back up a few notches in the third, but they were out shot 17-4. That's pretty bad. The Bruins came all the way back and tied it.

Not much happened in OT, and in the shootout, the Pens were dominant. Christensen and Letang made Thomas look like a flopping fish, with both of them going over the goalie to score (Letang's goal was especially impressive). The way these guys are handling the shootout, the Pens have a serious advantage.

Random notes:

• Crosby had the Gordie Howe hat trick (goal, assist and fight).
• Army had three assists and was +4.
• Christensen scored in the game and in the shootout, but most impressively, played over a minute on the penalty kill! Maybe he's finally turned the corner and is ready for a bigger role...

Next up: at home Friday night against the Islanders