RECAP: Captain's Log. PENS WIN.
Since Malkin and Crosby have been on the Pens' roster, it's usually fallen on Malkin to carry the load when Crosby has been sidelined. The script has been flipped for the time being, and it's Crosby's turn to carry the load without Malkin, who has been diagnosed with a concussion. With the pressure firmly on 87's back, he has to bring it to another level. It's nausating to credit Crosby for anything because he is just too good, but there is no better player in the NHL right now.
Sunday night, he was next level. He had two goals and an assist. He even took time to watch the Oscars on the bench.
Denzel got robbed, btw. Powerful performance in Flight.
Huge road trip this week:
Tues. -- Florida
Thurs. -- Staalapalooza in Carolina
Sat. -- Therrien has the Habs moving. That's gonna be an amazing game.
Recap:
FIRST PERIOD
Joe Vitale got sucked into fighting Adam Hall after the goal.
SECOND PERIOD
Did you think the Pens were safe with a 3-0 lead? We didn't either.
Letang came out and wrecked Conacher. Looked like it woke up the Bolts. Some bullshit fluky goal. 3-1.
Then the Pens were on the Penalty Express. First Despres for hooking then Letang for playing hockey. Pens battled the winds on a 5-on-3.
STAMKOSVILLE. 3-2.
Tampa still had a powerplay for an eon, but the Pens killed it.
The Bolts were lurking for the next stretch of play. Pens' offense basically disappeared.
But then Bennett drew a penalty. Then Kunitz did. The Pens' 5-on-3 had a new wrinkle: Beau Bennett. Wait what. Never mind. Goal.
4-2.
MAF had to preserve the high right after that because old friend Nate Thompson had a breakaway. Big save.
Great play by Glass later to beat Matt Carle to Garon to redirect a Vitale pass, but Garon said no.
THIRD PERIOD
The Conacher made it 4-3 reeeealy early in third.
MAF was making saves to keep the Pens up. St. Louis was lurking again.
Kunitz lit up Carle in the Lightning zone. Carle answered with that unreal pass to that Panik guy, who was alone on a breakaway. Huge stop.
Then everything sort of slowed to a jogging pace. Tampa couldn't do shit.
With like 3 minutes left, Tampa started making moves. But they just had nothing left. Cooke from way downtown.
5-3. Game.
MISCELLANEOUS
-- Tampa was on the second game of a back-to-back, and they looked it in the third.
-- Ryan Malone is injured. He got hurt kicking a soccer ball.
-- Wonder how many players have scored their first career goal on a 5-on-3.
woof