CROSBY'S OT WINNER PUSHES PENGUINS PAST HABS
Game Review
January 10, 2015
The Pittsburgh Penguins came away with a huge victory over the Montreal Canadiens, a team that defeated them handily last Saturday night. The 2-1 Pens victory was noticeably different than the 4-1 shellacking they faced at home. But, one person was constant in their stellar play for the Penguins and that player is David Perron.
Without Perron's tenacious shift in overtime, I do not believe the Penguins come away with the victory. His dipsie-doodle moves against the Habs defense, along with this strength and tenacity were all on display which led the Canadiens to a costly too many men on the ice penalty. Sidney Crosby will get the glory for scoring the game-winner, but Perron really set up the overtime chance.
Overall, the Penguins played a very solid team game. At times, the passing was sloppy and the defense pinched too much, but once the Penguins got settled in the second period and continued, they were not going to accept another loss to the Habs.
Positives:
Negatives
The Pittsburgh Penguins came away with a huge victory over the Montreal Canadiens, a team that defeated them handily last Saturday night. The 2-1 Pens victory was noticeably different than the 4-1 shellacking they faced at home. But, one person was constant in their stellar play for the Penguins and that player is David Perron.
Without Perron's tenacious shift in overtime, I do not believe the Penguins come away with the victory. His dipsie-doodle moves against the Habs defense, along with this strength and tenacity were all on display which led the Canadiens to a costly too many men on the ice penalty. Sidney Crosby will get the glory for scoring the game-winner, but Perron really set up the overtime chance.
Overall, the Penguins played a very solid team game. At times, the passing was sloppy and the defense pinched too much, but once the Penguins got settled in the second period and continued, they were not going to accept another loss to the Habs.
Positives:
- David Perron. Read above statements. Absolutely thrilled he is flourishing in a new environment.
- Evgeni Malkin. Played like an MVP tonight. Had the tying goal and assisted on the game-winner. Was fast and set up many chances tonight. Malkin is playing on an exceptionally high level right now.
- Sidney Crosby. The Captain came up big with his 12th goal of the season. After being robbed by Price on two glorious opportunities, Crosby had the last laugh as he led the Penguins to victory.
- Marc-Andre Fleury. Although snubbed from the All-Star team, Fleury was outstanding for the Penguins and kept them in the game with big, key saves.
- Fourth line. Craig Adams, Marcel Goc, and Zach Sill all had strong games filled with scoring chances, big hits, and drawn penalties. Really like the chemistry shown with these three players.
- Simon Despres. Each game, he gets better and better. Assisted on the game-tying goal and was stellar defensively.
Negatives
- Third line. Brandon Sutter, Steve Downie, and Bryan Rust were okay, but nothing special in the game. A difficulty they face is that they are all right-handed shots, thus diminishing the variety of opportunities they can create on the ice.
- Robert Bortuzzo. Same deal as the third line; not horrible, but not great. Had an okay game. I'm not sold on Bortuzzo. I'd prefer Derrick Pouliot or Scott Harrington in that role, but once Olli Maatta gets healthier, I assume Bortuzzo will be the scratched defenseman.
- Pinching. There were several times in the contest where the Penguins defense was caught pinching in the offensive zone and that created opportunities for the Canadiens. Fortunately, only one of those chances converted (Pacioretty's goal).
