Bright Lights - Penguins 5, Rangers 2

So what happened?

Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang each had highly successful returns to the lineup.  Sid had a point and was +3 in 16 minutes of ice time.  Letang also had an assist and was +5 while leading the Pens with over 24 minutes on the ice.

The Pens didn't play their best game tonight.  At times, it looked like things were going in slow-motion.  The Pens never were able to really get to their game, and they were guilty of several bad turnovers and poor play in their own end.

Having said that, they still found a way to win against the team that has been the best in the East to this point this season, and it wasn't all that close.  The Pens will be truly scary once Sid is back up to full speed and the power play heats back up again.

Who scored?

Cooke (13, 14), Malkin (39), Kunitz (21), Dupuis (19)

The Good?

• Both Sid and Letang came through healthy (as far as we know).
• Geno didn't disappear or defer to Sid.  He had 8 shots on goal and his line played well.
• Paul Martin had a pretty strong game as well, aside a poor decision to pinch, which allowed a two-on-one where the Rangers nearly scored.
• Flower was terrific, making several show-stopping saves look easy.  His stick save with less than a minute to go (in garbage time) was incredible (and incredibly lucky).

The Bad?

• Martin Biron was not good tonight.  The Rangers as a team just didn't seem to have it.

The Ugly?

• Jordan Staal took a nasty high stick to the face (it was inadvertent).  Wonder if he's ever going to wear a shield?

Any Surprises?

• No, not really.  Things went just as you might have hoped.

What's their record now?

The Pens are 43-21-5.  They are all alone in fourth place in the conference, two points ahead of Philly and New Jersey, and four points behind the Rangers.

Who's next?

A critical pair of divisional weekend games, both on the road, starting with New Jersey on Saturday afternoon.