Pens Beat Tampa @ Home

Jonathan Farzalo | Pittsburgh Penguins

Mar 20, 09:10 PM | Hype this story!
1 2 3 Tot.
0 1 1 2
 
Tot. 1 2 3
4 1 1 2
 
Summary
After leaving all their motivation and spirit on the plane in New York , the Penguins showed Tampa Bay that they found their game on the way back to Mellon Area in Pittsburgh. Once again Sidney Crosby was out of the lineup, but due to what could have been the worst goaltending performance of the season by Ty Conklin, Marc-Andre Fleury got the nod between the pipes, new white pads and all. Evgeni Malkin began the night 5 points behind Alexander Ovechkin in the league scoring race. He closed the gap by 2 with a game in hand on his Russian opponent.

While the Pens ended the 1st period with the lead it didn’t look as if they were 100% there to begin the game. As it was put in the post game conference, “they were just going through the motions”. But anytime you can just go through the motions and be winning, that can’t be a terrible thing. The goal in the first was one that left Ruutu bleeding from the mouth area, as he took a highstick as he was pouncing on a rebound. I’m sure he was more happy about the goal then he was angry about being cut.

In the 2nd, Lecavalier put a sloppy clear from in the crease into the back of the net to make it 1-1. Fleury really had no chance on the goal, and to be honest, it was just a loose puck that was bouncing around…but Pittsburgh did have a chance to clear it, for only a second. Malkin eventually put the Pens up by a goal when a great play by Malone and Whitney allowed him to take a no chance backhand shot that was blocked by a defender. However, in typical Geno fashion, he corralled the puck and gave it a second try, beating Smith high as he was flopping on the ice.

The third period began with a bang…as the Penguins exploded for 2 goals in 16 seconds, before the minute mark of the period. The first by Staal, when he jumped on a pingponged puck that had came loose after Smith misplayed it. The second, by Sykora, who Malkin found in the slot, and Petr doesn’t miss many gift wrapped chances like that. Quickly, Tampa Bay countered, when Sykora was sent to the box for slashing, which, really was a iffy call, but regardless the Penguins penalty kill didn’t get it done. The remainder of the game however was pretty much all Pittsburgh, as they had chance after chance and if Smith hadn’t somehow turned into Luongo, the Penguins would have embarrassed the Lightening easily.

Side note: Ruutu not only scored a goal, took a nasty stick to the face…he also showed that he is a good soccer player, or at least with a puck. As he lost his stick in a play, which a penalty was called, and kept the play alive by kicking the puck (dribbling it like a ball actually) from center ice and across the blue line….and almost setup a goal in the process. It really was a funny, yet amazing display by someone most wouldn’t have imagined.

Side note: This was the Penguins first victory against the Lightening in Pittsburgh in 8 games…
 
Three Stars
# Player Team Pos. Stats
1 Staal Pit C 1 Goal
2 Malkin Pit C 1 Goal, 1 Assist
3 Ruutu Pit W 1 Goal
 
Stat Line
  Shots Faceoffs Power Plays
  1 2 3 OT Total Won Lost Converted Total
Pittsburgh 8 4 11 - 23 19 26 0 2
Tampa Bay 8 6 7 - 21 26 19 2 5
 
Scoring Summary
Per. Time Team Goal Assist Assist
1 14:20 Pit Jarkko Ruutu Orpik Talbot
2 04:18
10:05		 Pit
TB		 Vincent Lecavalier
Evgeni Malkin		 Jokinen
Whitney		 Kuba
3 00:35
00:51
01:51		 Pit
Pit
TB		 Jordan Staal
Petr Sykora
Filip Kuba		 Dupuis
Malkin
St. Louis		 -
Malone
Jokinen
 
Penalty Summary
Per. Time Team Player Penalty
1 10:40
14:20		 Pit
TB		 Whitney
Boyle		 Holding – 2 min
High Sticking – 2 min

2		 00:49
03:51		 Pit
Pit		 Dupuis
Ruuru		 Hooking – 2 min
Boarding – 2 min
3 01:13
05:41
13:19		 Pit
Pit
TB		 Sykora
Ruutu
Lundin		 Slashing – 2 min
Holding – 2 min
Interference – 2 min

Comments

  1. DaBich

    Mar 21, 03:20 AM

    Looks like Staal is coming alive playing between Hossa and Dupuis. I like it!

    I’m thinkin’ Ruutu was the first star ;)

  2. Jonathan Farzalo

    Mar 21, 04:45 AM

    he should have been, i agree…i think Ruutu played an amazing game, but for WHATEVER reason, it was given to staal….but to be honest, jordan played a hell of a game too, so…

  3. DaBich

    Mar 21, 06:13 AM

    Staal sure did play a good game, as I said, he’s been doing very well between Hossa and Dupuis.
    But…Ruutu stole the show, with his soccer moves LOL!

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