CROSBY, PENS CRUISE TO SEVEN STRAIGHT
Game Review
November 8, 2014
Once again the Penguins squared off against the Buffalo Sabres and once again, the Penguins were dominant. There is no other word to describe their performances against the statistically worst team in the Eastern Conference, outscoring them 11-1 in two contests this season. Sidney Crosby showed early that tonight was a redemption game, compared to Thursday's shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets as the Captain tallied five assists tonight in their 6-1 victory. He was part of 83% of the team's goals tonight; ridiculous.
The game was over early, honestly speaking, as Kris Letang scored twice in the first period, sandwiching a Patric Hornqvist powerplay goal. The second period was filled with scoring as well. Goals coming from Hornqvist, Robert Bortuzzo, and Evgeni Malkin. The Sabres would score once from a deflection off of Zemgus Girgensons, but other than that, there were no solid opportunities for the Sabres to capitalize on. The Penguins were just dominant.
Positives:
Negatives:
Once again the Penguins squared off against the Buffalo Sabres and once again, the Penguins were dominant. There is no other word to describe their performances against the statistically worst team in the Eastern Conference, outscoring them 11-1 in two contests this season. Sidney Crosby showed early that tonight was a redemption game, compared to Thursday's shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets as the Captain tallied five assists tonight in their 6-1 victory. He was part of 83% of the team's goals tonight; ridiculous.
The game was over early, honestly speaking, as Kris Letang scored twice in the first period, sandwiching a Patric Hornqvist powerplay goal. The second period was filled with scoring as well. Goals coming from Hornqvist, Robert Bortuzzo, and Evgeni Malkin. The Sabres would score once from a deflection off of Zemgus Girgensons, but other than that, there were no solid opportunities for the Sabres to capitalize on. The Penguins were just dominant.
Positives:
- Sidney Crosby. Exploded tonight with five assists. He continues his dominance over the Buffalo Sabres, putting up a point in all 19 contests he's faced them in.
- Kris Letang. Put up a four point night (2G, 2A) and was solid defensively. His two goals were even strength markers, which is huge going forward for this team. They cannot rely on the powerplay, especially when it comes to defensive scoring.
- Patric Hornqvist. Another two goals, along with one assist for the Swedish winger that has been on fire all season long. Nine goals in 13 games; a pretty good ratio.
- Defense. With Letang's two goals and Robert Bortuzzo's first goal in 58 contests, their offensive ability was on display, but it was truly their defensive work that stood out. Exceptional back-checking, stick-on-puck, and board plays were easily noticeable tonight and made Fleury's night pretty easy.
- The First Line. Crosby, Hornqvist and Kunitz were monsters on the puck tonight. There was nothing they could do wrong and just controlled the action every time they had the puck in the offensive zone. They were on a mission. Mission accomplished.
- Special Teams. Another perfect night for the penalty kill (37 straight) and the powerplay went 2/5 on the night. This team is just clicking on all cylinders.
Negatives:
- Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey. Usually I am a fan of this duo in the booth. Do they have their moments when they are hard to listen to, absolutely, but tonight's blatant bashing of a Sabres team that is struggling was unnecessary. They never missed an opportunity to point out how bad the team was. When fans are going back and forth about it, it's not as big a deal, but when it is being broadcasted live, it seems cocky, arrogant, and ignorant. Not pleased with their call tonight.
- The Third Line. The Third Line was playing well tonight, but not nearly like they did against Winnipeg. It did not help either than Steve Downie was missing in the third period and only played 8:17 all night.
- Zach Sill. The poor guy could not buy a point tonight and it's a shame. He played one heck of a hockey game and played multiple shifts with Malkin and Crosby, who you know were trying to help him get his first point of the season. Enroth made two amazing saves on the wide open Sill, who you have to think wishes he had that opportunity one more time. It's only a matter of time before "The Ol C"
