Penguins 3, Hurricanes 2 (OT - SO - 2-1)

The Canes came out hopping tonight, and you had to think the first road loss might be at hand. The Pens, however, didn't feel the same way and acted like a team that has won the Stanley Cup. They didn't panic and weathered the storm.

The Canes continued to press, and probably got a bit too caught up in it. Ruutu laid a big hit on Letang, and one of the Canes D got caught pinching. That allowed #17 to walk in on Cam Ward and do his best #71 impression. I highly recommend seeing the goal if you missed the game. It was excellent.

#71 put the Pens on top 2-0 early in the second, and the Pens seemed to lock it down in cruise control. Going into the third, you really didn't feel like the Canes were interested. That changed when Ray Whitney deflected two third period shots and scored twice to erase a two-goal deficit. You don't like to see that as a Pens' fan, but there was little Fleury could do on either one.

Both Ward and Fleury made an astounding save during the third. Ward kept the deficit at 2-1, while Fleury made sure the score remained knotted at 2-2.

The Pens dominated the chances in OT but couldn't beat Ward.

In the shoot out, Sid beat Ward and Kunitz won the game going five-hole. He was the first Penguin to try it during the shoot out.

Notes:

• The Canes rolled with 7 defense again, and I think it cost them. They played an uptempo game and I think they looked tired late in the first two periods and in OT a bit.
• Walker and LaRose sure do like to hit from behind, don't they? I noticed it especially in the first.
• I caught Steigy with "little" at least 5 times. I think only one of those was directed at TK (two went to Samsonov in the shoot out).

Next up: Time to translate the road magic back to the Igloo. The Pens open a homestand on Saturday night against Tampa Bay.