Penguins 2, Lightning 1

So what happened?

First off, the "hit" by Downie on Sid during the early part of the first period has to be one of the dirtiest plays I've seen in a long time. It wasn't so much a hit as it was a leg lock combined with a slew-foot move. Highly dangerous.

Now, the game itself, the Pens hung in there and kept battling. The Bolts were a desperate team who took a 1-0 lead and then tried to trap their way to a win. As a fan, it is always wonderfully gratifying to see that strategy backfire as it did today.

Effort and determination got the Pens their first goal with the third line crashing the net and Dupuis putting home a lucky bounce. The power play took over when Gonchar's shot from the point was screened quite effectively by Ponikarovsky, giving the Pens the victory.

Fleury (and the defense) withstood a late power play and some mad scrambling to earn the two points.

Who scored?
Dupuis (17), Gonchar (10)

Any surprises?
I never noticed that Ryan Malone wasn't out there. Also, Stamkos was mostly absent even when he was on the ice.

Any change in the standings?

The Devils went on to lose yesterday to the Islanders, so the Pens are back in front by four points.

Division: 1st (four points ahead of New Jersey)

Conference: 2nd (four points ahead of New Jersey)

League: 5th (tied with Vancouver)

Who's next?
The biggest remaining game on the schedule - a trip to New Jersey on Wednesday. I think a win can go a long way towards earning the #2 seed.

Notes:

• Hopefully Geno isn't hurt. He took a shot off of his foot at the end of the second period and did not return.
• Fleury was great today when he needed to be. There were several saves of the highway robbery variety.
• I guess it is inevitable that GoGo is the one to sit. Right now, you need McKee's shot blocking and penalty killing, especially when Leopold can chip in offensively.