So what happened?
The Pens went to the shoot out for the first time in seemingly forever (the last time was Saturday, November 5th in Los Angeles).
Prior to that, there was a highly entertaining hockey game.
The Pens and Canes traded chances and generally played end-to-end hockey with no whistles for long stretches. I wouldn't say it had the intensity of a playoff game, but it was certainly close.
The Pens did their thing and out shot the Canes by a margin of 41-26. Both goalies were excellent, and both teams had numerous chances.
This score could easily have been 4-3 instead of 2-1.
A great job by the Pens to earn another two points and keep their streak going.
Who scored?
Malkin (22)
The Good?
- Malkin, Kunitz and Neal combined for 16 shots and the only goal of the game for the Pens.
- Speaking of Geno's goal, it was a nice steal from Eric Staal (though Staal never had total possession of the puck) and a roof job on Cam Ward, who was on his knees (maybe he was praying?)
- Pascal Dupuis had seven shots and seemingly infinite chances - he just couldn't buy a goal.
- Ponikarovsky was credited with three hits, which is approximately three more than he had in his brief tenure with the Penguins.
The Bad?
- Faceoffs were poor again. This time the victims were Malkin, Jeffrey and Adams. The team needs to find a way to get better on these on a consistent basis.
The Ugly?
- Jeff Skinner may find that he has another concussion tomorrow - he was blasted into the middle of next week (on a completely clean hit) by Brooks Orpik. Skinner left for a bit but returned to action.
Any Surprises?
- I was surprised that Skinner returned. The guy just came back after missing 16 games with a concussion and clearly his legs were rubber after he was hit. I don't think there's any way he should have been allowed back on the ice, just for his own safety. What happens if he had been hit again?
What's their record now?
The Pens are 24-17-4.
Who's next?
The front end of a back-to-back at MSG on Thursday night.
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