UNUSUAL FINISH GIVES PENGUINS THE REDEMPTION WIN

gAME rEVIEW

November 15, 2014

Let's take a moment to catch our breath.  What a game!  The Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers put on a playoff-like contest at Consol Energy Center Saturday night.  Let me first say that while the Penguins did win and I am a Penguins fan, if they had lost, I'd still have the same opinion in say that the game was one of the best games I have seen in years.

The game was hard hitting (Malkin vs. Girardi), tight checking and was filled with intensity.  Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were on a mission from the start of the contest.  Marc-Andre Fleury and Henrik Lundqvist proved why they are two of the best goaltenders in the National Hockey League and defensively speaking, there was not a lot of room to maneuver.  

With all of that aside, it was the ending in the shootout that was the most dramatic.  While it appeared that Dan Boyle had won the game for the Rangers, his goal was put in off of a rebound.  The referees deliberated and made the call to, more or less, "restart" the game.  Brandon Sutter's five-hole goal was the ultimate deciding factor, as Fleury stoned Rick Nash, the NHL's leading goal scorer, in the fourth-round of the shootout.

An absolutely crazy finish, but it was the right call.  Rangers' fans will be upset by the decision, but hockey fans will commend the officials for making the right call.  Again, if this had happened to the Penguins', if they suffered the same fate as the Rangers had tonight, I would not be upset, seeing as they had 65 other minutes to win the contest and that the referees made the right call. 

Regardless, this game was a true test for both squads and they both played exceptionally well.

Positives:

• Evgeni Malkin.  Was an absolute force on the ice.  He had two points, including the tying goal and that monstrous hit, I mean, wow...what a hit.  It was as clean as can be, too, which makes it all the more effective and impactful.  Phenomenal play by 71 tonight.
• Brandon Sutter.  Scored the game-winner in the shootout.  Has to be a confidence boost for the centerman who hasn't exactly been lighting it up as of late.
• Marc-Andre Fleury.  What a sensational performance in between the pipes for Fleury.  31 saves, some made out of pure luck, but either way, a save is a save and there were none bigger than his glove save of Nash to preserve the second-chance victory.
• Blake Comeau.  After missing the last game against Toronto, Comeau comes back and scores the game's opening goal.  Was good along the boards and noticeable on the ice.  Although I'm a Zach Sill kind of guy, Comeau is the more effective forward that can transition up and down the lines as need be.
• Top Line.  Crosby, Chris Kunitz, and Pascal Dupuis were zooming around the ice tonight and were solid on the forecheck.  Generated several chances and were impressive.
• Referees.  Cannot stress it enough; they made the right calls.

Negatives:

• Steve Downie.  While it understandable that he wants to make a difference and stand up for his team, his minor penalties are starting to effect team.  His penalty tonight led to St. Louis' power play goal and gave the Rangers the lead heading into the first intermission.  Fortunately, Malkin made up for his undisciplined play and tied the game in the second.
• Beau Bennett.  I have always been a fan of Beau Bennett and have tried pleading his case, his play has not been impressive, at least not yet.  It's only his third game back, but I think more time on the top six would help him find his groove and instill confidence in the young winger.