Pens 4 Devils 2

WE SCORED A POWERPLAY GOAL!!!

Okay, now that I got that out, on to the recap:

The Penguins and Devils started the game off with the normal brand of incredibly boring, strategic, and defensive hockey.  This one proved to be a barn burner compared to the 1-0 shootout win from their last meeting however.  The shot total was up to a whopping 5 with 8 minutes to go in the first period!  Play opened up for the Penguins as the Devils started clearing a path to the penalty box.  New Jersey took 3 penalties in a row, leading the Penguins to finally open up the scoring on the powerplay.  Jordan Staal came in with the puck, out-patienced Johan Hedberg, and waited until he dropped to the ice to roof a puck to end the period up 1-0. 

The mask that took us to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001.

Time will tell how costly this is for the playoffs.

The 2nd period fell back into the lull that is Devils hockey.  It took 15 minutes to get another goal on the board, and this one was drowned out by the Boos of the home crowd.  Ben Lovejoy misplayed a puck as he skated behind the net with Matt Niskanen also behind the net.  This led to David Steckel getting a loose puck in the slot by himself and wristing the equalizing goal past Marc-Andre Fleury.  It's been a long time since I've heard the Penguins crowd boo a player like they did Steckel. 

The Penguins took the lead back just a minute later as Pascal Dupuis shoved the rebound from a Max Talbot shot past Hedberg to make it 2-1.

The third period featured some of the most exciting Penguins-Devils hockey of the season.  The scoring started off quickly as Chris Kunitz took a Tyler Kennedy pass in front of the net and deked around Hedberg to make it 3-1.  Brian Rolston brought the score to 3-2 with a wicked slapshot from the point just 3 minutes later.  The teams played back and forth with both teams getting numerous chances.  The final drama came as Jordan Staal was called for tripping with less than 2 minutes less.  As New Jersey pulled Hedberg to give themselves a 6 on 4, the Penguins took the opportunity to add another short handed goal, as Pascal Dupuis wristed the puck from his own blue line to score his 2nd of the game and give the Penguins a 4-2 win.

3 Stars:
3 - Rolston
2 - Staal
1 - Kunitz

Thoughts/Notes:

- Matt Niskanen's play seems to be getting worse and worse as the season comes to an end.  I would really like to see Engelland step in for him for just a game at least.

- The powerplay went 1 for 3 to move them to 3 for the last 54.  It was nice to see a powerplay goal, but Staal's goal was not out of the powerplay formation and was more on a rush and breakdown, just like the other powerplay goals the Penguins have scored.  The Penguins powerplay formation is a complete failure right now and needs to be fixed before the playoffs begin.

- Asham was in for Comrie as those 2 continue rotating through the 18th forward spot.  I have not been impressed by either player, and I wonder if Eric Tangradi will get a chance now that he's healthy.  He would be my pick until Cooke and/or Crosby returns.