The Pens dodged a bullet tonight to be sure. They put the Thrashers on the power play eight times (killing off seven of the chances), somehow escaping the first period with the game tied at 2-2. They earned a shorty in the second with a great individual effort by Matt Cooke, setting up Craig Adams. Sid pushed it out to a two goal lead just 9 second into the third, and the rout was on.
Any time you allow the opposition eight chances on the power play and still win, you're pretty lucky.
Who scored?
Crosby 2 (31,32), Adams (2), Kunitz (10), Letestu (8), Cooke (8)
The Good?
- Letestu's goal was fantastic. He took advantage of Burmistrov by muscling him off of the puck and then waited for Pavelec to make the first move, sweeping the puck past him.
- Evander Kane got knocked around a bit. I don't mind seeing that with the way he liked to throw his weight around in the first meeting.
- The penalty killers were really good when they needed it most. They also (largely) controlled Byfuglien (though Big Buff's goal was a sick slapper).
- Geno seemed to be getting some of the pick-pocket game going in a way we haven't seen from him in quite some time. If he keeps doing that, he'll start to rack up some numbers.
- The second period was particularly strong after a shaky first. The Pens out shot the Thrashers 16-5 in the second.
The Bad?
- Eight power play chances against - not good.
- More lack of discipline in taking some of those penalties. Matt Cooke specifically got called for essentially the same thing twice.
The Ugly?
- Nothing, really.
Any Surprises?
- Everyone played nearly 10 minutes and the lines were rolled all night long. We haven't seen that in a while this season.
What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?
The Pens are now 25-11-2. They have 52 points and are still on top of the standing in the NHL.
Who's next?
A trip to Long Island for tomorrow night.
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