RECAP: Collateral Damage. PENS WIN.
Wednesday night, we were all treated to a great hockey game. Friday night, we got an ordinary one. No one would talk about this game ever again if it weren't for an apparent big-time injury to Evgeni Malkin. Malkin went crashing into the boards early in the third period. It looked horrible.
This game had a good pace to it at the beginning, but Florida was on the second night of a Pennsylvania back-to-back. They looked like they were just waiting to die. And Matt Niskanen fired the shot that killed them. The Pens got another GWG from the defense this week. Two more points in NHL bank city.
Recap:
FIRST PERIOD
Interesting reports by some folks on press row that Blues GM, Doug Armstrong, was in the house watching the game.
St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong and scouts from 10 other teams are scheduled to attend Penguins-Panthers game.
— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPG) February 22, 2013
Dustin Jeffrey got a rare go. Was Joe Vitale hurt? Thought Vitale has been really good. What exactly does Tyler Kennedy bring in a situation like this that Joe Vitale doesn't? Also, strange that Vokoun didn't get the start in this game. But whatever.
The first period was like Twitter Parody accounts. It had its moments, but then it got really stupid and just kind of ended. Fleury was tested a few times because Letang was being a dick.
Literally nothing happene,d though. Did anyone else notice the guy in the orange?
Had to be the brightest shirt of all time. What a dick.
SECOND PERIOD
Fleury had to keep making saves because the Penguins were doing dick.
Solid effort from Fleury all game really. Looked good.
Tyler Kennedy was insufferable. Finally even Bylsma had enough:
Looks like Kennedy is officially benched. Three bad turnovers in one game will do that.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_Trib) February 23, 2013
Sucks to suck.
The Panthers finally got one past Fleury on some type of deflection. 1-0. Some puked named Mike Weaver scored.
Mueller's hair.
The Panthers really aren't good, but Justin Huberdeau is terrifying.
The Pens finally got a power play midway through the second, and they cashed in. Feels like Chris Kunitz scores every game. He took some big-time punishment from Mike Weaver in front. 1-1.
After Kunitz scored, Weaver elbowed him right in the face. Has to be a terrible feeling. Malkin did some bear wrap on Kuntiz to break it up. Weird night for goal celebrations.
THIRD PERIOD
TK celebrated his return to the game by missing a shot and then taking a crippling penalty: Equivalent of getting grounded by your parents then crashing your mom's car into your living room.
Pens killed the penalty. And then Malkin almost died.
Pens had to grab their sacs, though, because homas Kopecky got up in MAF's shit and took a penalty. Kevin Dineen was pissed.
Pens power play was decent. Letang put a puck right on TK's stick. He put it up into space.
So bad.
The Pens scored a little later, and it was over. Letang set one up perfectly for Niskanen. The Panthers' goalie, nicknamed Tthe Alien," phoned home.
Huge goal for Nisky. 2-1.
Florida began to wear down after the goal. The Pens kept good pressure up, and they were rewarded.
Dustin Jeffrey Alert. He took a Matt Cooke pass and beat the ALOLien.
3-1.
TK even screwed up the celebration
Florida simulated the rest of the game.
Game
