Main Storylines:
- The Pens have won 10 in a row and go for #11 against one of their toughest opponents over the past couple years. The Pens have lost 4 straight in NJ, and Malkin and Crosby have each scored only 1 point in their last 5 games against the Devils.
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| Keys to the game right here. |
- Fleury gets the start and the only lineup change is Tangradi is in for Asham (illness).
- Staal looks to continue his career high 9 game point scoring streak, while Dupuis looks to match his career high by making it 5 today. Malkin’s next goal will be #40, which will make him the 6th player in franchise history to score 40 goals multiple times.
- The Pens’ next win will be the 1,500th in franchise history, making them to the 11th team to hit that mark.
- Matt Cooke has been named the Penguins’ Masterton Trophy nominee (player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey). Jump to the thoughts at the end for more on this.
Result:
Pens 5 Devils 2
Goals: Neal (32) from Malkin
Dupuis (20) from Staal, Niskanen
Cooke (15) from Crosby, Kennedy
Malkin (40) (PP) from Crosby, Kunitz
Cooke (16) from Kennedy, Crosby
The Good:
- The Pens make it 11 in a row!! This is simply the best team in hockey, there is no even remote argument otherwise right now. It is also the 1500th win in franchise history!
- Milestones: Dupuis becomes the 5th player on the Pens to hit 20 goals this season. Dupuis matches his career high point streak at 5 games and that 20th goal tied a career high as well. Meanwhile, Staal extends his career high points streak (and assists streak) to 10 games. Malkin scores his 40th goal, becoming the 6th player in franchise history to hit that mark multiple times for the Pens. Cooke has set a new career high for goals with 16 so far.
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| Just 8 goals less than Hossa, makes $4 mil/yr less. Dupuis is the centerpiece to that deal now. |
- The pace of this Pens-Devils game was the best we’ve seen in years. It was a quick moving game from the very first shift as opposed to those boring chess matches we usually see in New Jersey. Playoff hockey is nearing quickly!
- Everything and everyone. The defense played great, Martin/Letang looked good, the offense is efficient, the defense is on lock down, this team is just clicking on all cylinders. The Pens outshot the Devils a ridiculous 43-14 today.
Matt Cooke – Back to back 2 goal games for Cooke, wait what? Cooke is apparently in all-star form on a line with Crosby. Most people thought he’d have to defend and protect Sid, but instead he’s just putting the puck in the net at will. What more can you ask from a guy who almost had his career end through stupidity last year? A very well-earned Masterton nomination for him. Cooke now has 31 points and 30 PIM this year. A far cry from his usual 30 and 120.
Sidney Crosby – Just look at Kennedy’s and Cooke’s stats to see exactly what kind of impact Crosby has on anyone. He had 3 assists in this game, and was robbed twice by Brodeur on some nice chances. That first goal of this comeback is coming very soon, any other goalie and he would probably have had it today. A happy, healthy Sidney Crosby has made this team look simply unbeatable.
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| Pens fans are showing up everywhere to welcome Sid back |
Evgeni Malkin – In a very weird concept, might Malkin actually be overlooked right now due to the team dominance and a fully healthy roster? Geno scored on a blistering one-timer on the PP and also won the faceoff to set up the “Neal play” which led to a goal. He just quietly continued his Hart worthy season. Just Geno being Geno.
The Bad:
- Cooke made an ugly misplay/pass back to Engelland in the defensizve zone when he wasn’t ready for it, turning into Sykora all alone on Fleury for a goal against early in the 3rd period. The Pens will have to learn not to get too comfortable with the leads that this team can build too early. Luckily, Cooke decided to score right after to shut up the Devils instantly.
- Joe Vitale went crashing into the boards late in the 2nd period and missed about a period’s worth of hockey, but returned late in the 3rd period. So I would assume he’s okay. If not, we have a very healthy set of scratches right now.
The Ugly:
- For the Devils: Brodeur actually played a very solid game and robbed a few chances. I can’t even imagine what it would have been like if anyone else was in net.
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| 38 saves including a penalty shot, what more can a goalie do? |
Thoughts:
- Nothing about the team – everyone just sit back, relax, and enjoy this ride, it’s wonderful.
- Cooke is up for the Masterton trophy for the Pens. Two Pens have won the award before: Lemieux in 93 when he returned from chemotherapy and Lowell McDonald back in 75 when he returned from tearing his knee. Current Penguin Steve Sullivan also won the award with the Predators back in 09 after returning from missing most of 2 years with a fractured disc and groin issues. Generally, the award goes to players coming back from major injuries. Some other nominees around the league so far this year: Jagr (Flyers), Alfredsson (Sens), Tootoo (Preds), Smith (Coyotes), Pacioretty (Habs), Fraser (Kings), Potter (Oilers) and still may more to come out. I think Cooke definitely deserves the nomination, but he wouldn’t be my top pick in the NHL.
- Even though it’s back to back games, I would expect Fleury to start against the Flyers tomorrow. The light workload today certainly helped out that decision. Tomorrow will also be the biggest test for Crosby handling physical play, as I'm sure the Flyers will try to rip his head off. Early 12:30pm start, so get drinking and pass out early, Happy St Patty's Day!!
Pens Record: 44-21-5, 93 pts, 2nd in the Atlantic, 4th in the East
Next Game: 3/18 @ Phi, 12:30pm
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