Penguins 8, Lightning 1

So what happened?

Geno scored 7 seconds into the game when he made a great read off of the opening draw and stuck with the play long enough to flip the puck past a down-and-out Dwayne Roloson. They could have stopped the game right there, because it didn't get any closer.

It was 5-0 by the end of the first period, which rendered the Stamkos penalty shot a moot point early in the second (Stamkos blew a tire on the way to the net and never got to shoot the puck).

The Pens out shot the Bolts 36-15 through two periods. They never took their foot off of the throttle until the third period. It was one of the few true laughers we've seen in recent years since most games are at least competitive.

Who scored?

Malkin (15), Conner (5), Kennedy (6), Kunitz 3 (11,12,13), Letestu (9), Goligoski (7)

The Good?

• This was a blowout from the very beginning of the game. The Pens came out like a huge weight had been lifted from their shoulders, and it was great to watch.
• Kunitz had a hat trick, with the second two goals being nice deflections of Goligoski shots on the power play. It was the second hat trick of Kunitz's career.
• Letestu had a sick move on his goal, showing great patience and quick hands in front of Roloson.
• The Pens watched the Bolts change the goalie three times (Roloson --> Ellis --> Roloson --> Ellis).
• No one should be worn out since the turnaround is quick for tomorrow night's game.
• How do you know you had a great game? When Lovejoy plays more minutes than Brooks Orpik (no offense to Ben).
• If you could give a star to the opposition when they lose 8-1 on the road, I'd give one to Adam Hall, who never quit playing. He scored the only goal for the Bolts on a nice deflection.

The Bad?

• Nothing, really.

The Ugly?

• No, and that leads into the surprise...

Any Surprises?

• The Lightning didn't try anything stupid while the game was still in reach. No fights, and only one questionable hit (and that was later after everything was decided). You could be kind and say they were classy or, be a disgruntled Tampa fan and say they didn't care.

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

The Pens are now 26-12-3. They have 55 points and are currently tied with Detroit and Vancouver for the NHL lead, but the Canucks are just getting underway tonight.

Who's next?

A trip to Montreal to play tomorrow night. Get ready for those silly Canadiens (and the opposition on the ice won't be bad either).