Penguins 4, Coyotes 3 (OT - SO - 1-0)

So what happened?

Things started out poorly for the Pens but they were able to battle back to tie the game and send it to OT. They were unable to score in OT, despite a power play for the last 90 seconds or so and the game went to a shootout. The last of the shooters was the only one to score. Marc Letestu beat Bryzgalov with a quick wrister right through the wickets to send the Pens back home with something positive to build on.

Who scored?
Crosby (9), Malkin (4), Kunitz (3)

The Good?

• The power play scored again.
• Johnson was excellent in relief of Fleury, allowing just one goal (though you'd have to say it was a soft one). The Coyotes didn't mount too much offense, however.
• Nice effort to try to take the lead in the third period. The Pens out shot the Coyotes 14-7 during the period.
• Mike Comrie was involved offensively a few times. It seems like that's the first time this year that he's been able to be noticed.
• Sid and Geno led the way, showing that the hard work will pay off. Both goals (especially Sid's goal) were the product of being in the right place at the right time.
• Great play by Letestu to reverse the puck back to Kunitz for the game-tying goal. Great shot by Kunitz to roof the puck.

The Bad?

• Flower was yanked. The first goal certainly wasn't his fault, though you'd like him to make that save. The second one, however, was likely his worst all year.
• I think we're going to see Lovejoy when the Pens play on Wednesday at home. Engelland played less than 7 minutes. He was directly culpable on the first two Coyotes goals. Last night wasn't much better, with just over 10 minutes of ice time (that's low for a defenseman).
• Another slow start by the Pens. There were several times where they just didn't appear ready for the speed brought by the Coyotes.

Anything Ugly?

• The officiating was the most confusing I've seen in any game this year. The players had to be frustrated on both teams - no one had any idea what was or was not a penalty.

Any surprises?

• We haven't seen a shootout this year, so Letestu getting the call in the SO over Goligoski or Malkin was a surprise to me. I'm anxious to see if he has any slick moves (ala Letang) - tonight all we saw was an advantageous wrist shot (not that I'm complaining - it worked!)

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 7-7-1. They are four points behind Philly for the lead in the Atlantic.

Who's next?

A few days off (again) until a game on Wednesday night at home against Boston.