This is how the Pens’ last 14 games have gone: won four, lost six, won four. Pretty crazy streaking going on. After the six-game losing streak, everyone was headed for the bridge. Then they won three and everyone said it didn’t matter because the teams they beat during that stretch were garbonzos.
Last night the Pens had a chance to show they could beat an elite team and keep the streak going. And they did just that, dumping the Rangers 4-1 in NYC.
Going into last night, the Rangers had the best record in the league. The Pens finally received some good news when they found out Kris Letang would suit up for the first time in almost two months.
It didn’t take long for the Pens to get on the board. Paul Martin had a wide open chance denied by Lundqvist but Chris Kunitz buried the rebound. Kuuuuuuuuuunnnnittttzzzzz.
Not long after that, Eric Tangradi decided he wanted to show that he was worth a damn so he dropped the gloves with Stu Bickel. Bad idea - I think I would have looked better fighting Kimbo Slice. Tangradi threw one punch that missed and ended up on the ice.
The rest of the first period was really entertaining hockey. Lots of back and forth play with big hits, good opportunities, nice saves and few whistles. One thing that was obvious was that New York is trying to turn into Philadelphia. They made it their mission early on to take runs and irritate Geno Malkin. I guess they didn’t watch the Tampa game (you’ll see why later). After every whistle there were face washes and cheap shots. There were even a few attempts to knock over Marc-Andre Fleury.
The first period ended with the Pens up 1-0. I missed the beginning of the second because I had to shovel my sidewalk and watch idiots wreck their cars on my street. I made it back in time to see Carl Hagelin tie the game with a little, geh goal that trickled in. The goal was the outcome of Martin being aggressive and no one covering for him. Whatev.
The third period started in a way we all expected; a 3-on-1 with Cooke, Engelland and Ricky Ticky Park. Park sniped it short side and the Pens went up 2-1 2:23 into the period. When did Park become a sniper? I don’t care, I’ll take it.
That was about it for everyone else. Time for the Geno Show.
Mark Staal was screwing around in his own zone so Geno took the puck, deked around a diving jagoff and buried a backhand shot over Lundqvist’s left shoulder. If you didn’t see it, go watch SportsCenter, it was Top Play No. 8.
Geno scored an empty netter just to add a little tea bagging to the Rangers, who should’ve known not to piss him off (see, I told you so). It was one of the nicest empty net goals I’ve seen in a while. Two nice passes from Kunitz to Neal and Neal to Malkin set it up.
We’ll see how this streak holds up with Game 2 on back-to-back nights now that the Pens are back home tonight to host the Canadiens. Letang will be looking to V for Vendetta against the Habs after Max Pacioretty knocked him out last time he played them.
Notes:
- Fleury played another great game. Tons a huge saves.
- Nice to have Tanger back. An assist, +2 and over 24 minutes if ice time
- Geno is going off…increased his lead in overall points. 7 goals in the 4 game streak.
- The Geno – Kunitz – Neal chemistry is hitting on all cylinders
- Paul Martin is still blowing IMO. Steigy and Errey were trying to suck him off all game.
- I’m really starting to hate the Rangers more and more.
Five is better than four, boys.
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