FLOWER BLOOMS AGAINST PREDATORS
Game Review
October 25, 2014
After two disappointing efforts on Wednesday and Thursday versus the Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings, respectively, the Pittsburgh Penguins bounced back in full force, showing shades of the games past where they dominated whistle to whistle. The Penguins once again outshot their opponent, the Nashville Predators, and in doing so collected their fourth win of the season.
More importantly, they handed the Predators their first regulation loss. James Neal was stymied along with every other Predator on the ice as Marc-Andre Fleury stopped all 25 shots to collect his 29th career shutout. Goals by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Pascal Dupuis will make restless Penguins' fans sleep easy tonight, knowing that their veteran forwards stepped up when needed. Hopefully this kind of play will carry over to Tuesday night, where the Penguins take on the New Jersey Devils at home.
Positives:
Negatives:
After two disappointing efforts on Wednesday and Thursday versus the Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings, respectively, the Pittsburgh Penguins bounced back in full force, showing shades of the games past where they dominated whistle to whistle. The Penguins once again outshot their opponent, the Nashville Predators, and in doing so collected their fourth win of the season.
More importantly, they handed the Predators their first regulation loss. James Neal was stymied along with every other Predator on the ice as Marc-Andre Fleury stopped all 25 shots to collect his 29th career shutout. Goals by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Pascal Dupuis will make restless Penguins' fans sleep easy tonight, knowing that their veteran forwards stepped up when needed. Hopefully this kind of play will carry over to Tuesday night, where the Penguins take on the New Jersey Devils at home.
Positives:
- As mentioned above, the key, star players scored all of the goals tonight. They had slumped the last couple of games, aside from Dupuis. It was encouraging to see the big boys step up.
- Marc-Andre Fleury looked superb in net tonight. He looked confident, took away all angles and made key saves when called upon. The Flower was on tonight.
- The defense was outstanding. There were no dumb or unnecessary turnovers and they had a relatively easy night because of my next point....
- The offense was dominant, especially with puck control and wearing down the Nashville defense. Every goal was scored from about ten feet in front of the net and two were on the doorstep (Crosby/Dupuis).
- Steve Downie played a disciplined game and was awarded with an assist on Dupuis' third goal and 400th career point. Good to see Downie contributing offensively.
Negatives:
- There were tiny things like forced passes and turnovers here and there, but all in all, it was a very solid game by the Penguins. Very pleased with their play tonight; certainly made up for the last two debacles.
