Pens net 7 again...Beat Devils

Jonathan Farzalo | Pittsburgh Penguins

Mar 22, 09:28 PM | Hype this story!
1 2 3 Tot.
1 0 0 1
 
Tot. 1 2 3
7 1 1 5
 
Summary
The Penguins scored 7 goals for the 3rd time in 10 days, beating the Devils 7-1: showing the rest of the National Hockey League the kind of offensive force they can be…and that they should be very scared when Sidney Crosby returns to play alongside Marian Hossa.

The first two periods had the feel of typical Penguins/Devils hockey, back and forth, trapping, not too exciting and all the like.  However from the drop of the puck this one had a very playoff hockey feel to it, and was a hard-hitting affair.  The Penguins struck first, on a "own goal" by the New Jersey defense off a nice play by Rutuu, who is really playing some great hockey right now, penalties aside.  New Jersey seemed to stun the Pens with an amazing shorthanded goal by Gionta, but the Penguins and Ryan Malone bounced back in the 2nd to regain the lead with a shorty of their own.

The third is a period Penguins fans and players will remember for a long time; as they exploded for 5 straight goals and ran Marty from the New Jersey net, and as was pointed out during the broadcast…Pittsburgh has done that more than any team in the league.  Malkin seemed to take over while he was on the ice and the remainder of the team followed him.  It was something to see, a team playing great, making few mistakes, and even sticking up for each other (on the Gonchar boarding call).  Evgeni Malkin inched closer to Ovechkin in the scoring race, and with a little luck, and amazing play, he may just catch him.  

Pascal Dupuis has been an amazing pickup, as he has been on fire, lighting the lamp, and setting up teammates quite often since his addition to the lineup:  he plays all out all the time, and it’s no wonder Atlanta fans were sad to see him go.  With Malone hitting 25 goals, Sykora picking up goals like Tiger Woods picks up birdies, and Staal turning his game up a notch, the Penguins just look like "THE" team to beat in the Eastern Conference right now.  Fleury also played a strong game, and has been since he returned from injury.  If he can keep it up, this team should go deep into the playoffs, perhaps even making a run for the cup.  Add Crosby’s return to that, an amazing winger in Hossa, and pretty great play by the defense right now, and you have a dominate force.

Side Note:  Great penalty killing (shorthanded goal aside) was a big plus for Pittsburgh tonight, as it has struggled a bit.

Side Note:  Kevin Weekes, in relief, let in 3 goals on 9 shots.

Side Note:  Pittsburgh has allowed 9 shorthanded goals this season…something they MUST improve upon in the playoffs.

 
Three Stars
# Player Team Pos. Stats
1 Malone Pit W 2 Goals
2 Malkin Pit C 2 Goals, 1 Assist
3 Hossa Pit W 3 Assists
 
Stat Line
  Shots Faceoffs Power Plays
  1 2 3 OT Total Won Lost Converted Total
Pittsburgh 8 7 13 - 28 24 28 2 6
NJ 13 7 5 - 25 28 24 0 4
 
Scoring Summary
Per. Time Team Goal Assist Assist
1 01:30
09:04		 Pit
NJ		 Jarkko Ruutu
Brian Gionta		 Hossa
Madden		 Sydor
–
2 16:14 Pit Ryan Malone Dupuis Orpik
3 03:00
04:51
08:24
11:21
18:18		 Pit
Pit
Pit
Pit
Pit		 Ryan Malone
Pascal Dupuis
Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin
Petr Sykora		 Gonchar
Hossa
Letang
Sykora
Malkin		 Hossa
Gonchar
Sykora
Whitney
 
Penalty Summary
Per. Time Team Player Penalty
1 07:11
12:38
15:32
20:00		 NJ
NJ
Pit
Pit		 Pandolfo
White
Ruutu
Ruutu		 Tripping – 2 min
Roughing – min
Holding – 2 min
Unsportsmanlike – 2 min

2		 07:06
07:33
15:22		 Pit
NJ
Pit		 Dupuis
Parise
Staal		 Highsticking – 2 min
Goalie Interfer. – 2 min
Tripping – 2 min
3 02:52
06:36
12:13
12:13
12:13
12:13
12:13		 NJ
NJ
NJ
NJ
NJ
Pit
Pit		 Zubrus
Zubrus
Zajac
Zajac
Langerbrunner
Staal
Dupuis		 Hooking – 2 min
Holding – 2 min
Boarding – 5 min
Roughing – 2 min
Roughing – 2 min
Roughing – 2 min
Roughing – 2min

Comments

  1. Tim

    Mar 22, 11:12 PM

    They really took it to NJ and that is great to see. I think Dupuis has been an amazing player. Hossa looks stronger every game he is on the ice. What a win. Good to see this team playing at such a high level.

  2. DaBich

    Mar 23, 05:48 PM

    I love seeing Staal playing so well between Hossa and Dupuis, they seem to bring out the best in him. What will happen when Sid comes back?? Scary.

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