Max Talbot celebrates the highlight of the first Act (photosource: yardbarker.com).
King Henrik should have stayed backstage (photosource: yardbarker.com).
In the city that never sleeps, the Pittsburgh Penguins put their hosts to bed. Behind a commanding overall performance, the visitors emerged triumphant in a 3-1 decision that was not indicative of the slanted ice. Friendlier crossbars and thinner posts would have sent the Ranger fans home even earlier.
The offensive stars were diverse as the Pens captured their seventh straight, fourth consecutive in a drowsy Madison Square Garden. Max Talbot notched his fifth goal when he took advantage of a defensive turnover and slid the puck past King Henrik Lundqvist five minutes into the contest.
Second-period goals from Kris Letang, off a beautiful feed from 13-game point streaker Sidney Crosby, and Chris Conner, who used a fade away wrister from behind a screen for his second tally of the season, put Pittsburgh in front 3-0.
Marc-Andre Fleury continued his dominance of late making 25 saves, allowing only a laser from Marion Gaborik with less than three minutes remaining in the second to sneak behind him. Fleury was helped by a proficient defensive core that rarely gave New York hope.
It was such a shutdown performance, including three more penalty kills, that the lack of noise in the arena made it seem like many New Yorkers were napping.
The Pens are absolutely electric right now. Magical plays from some and technically sound plays from all have this team at the top of its collective game. Without having tested themselves against Detroit or D.C. it is tough for the Pens to lay claim to the NHL’s marquee squad, but after watching their Broadway performance tonight, they are definitely playing the lead.
Original Story:
http://penslabyrinth.com/2010/11/29/p...
