By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
You wanted your pound of flesh for that cheap, elbow-to-the-head hit Ottawa Senators defenseman Andy Sutton put on Penguins defenseman Jordan Leopold Friday night?
You got something much better.
Penguins 2, Senators 1.
You can thank Penguins star Sidney Crosby.
Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Penguins defenseman Kris Letang, left, is mobbed after scoring a goal in the third period by Sidney Crosby and Bill Guerin.
Sutton's hit at least temporarily knocked Leopold into next week late in the first period. Crosby made two spectacular plays in the third period that might just lead the way to the Penguins knocking the Senators into next season.
You could say the captain willed this victory for the desperate Penguins, who found a way to even the first-round playoff series at 1-1.
Superstars are superstars for a reason, you know?
"In the playoffs, you can't get caught up trying to get even with them," Crosby said of the Penguins' measured reaction to Sutton's hit on Leopold, which appeared to leave Leopold momentarily unconscious before he wobbled to the locker room, done for the night and questionable, at best, for Game 3 Sunday night in Ottawa. Leopold has a history of concussions and there was a fear in the Penguins' room that he could be done for the playoffs.
"You can't get involved with them and get away from playing your game and start taking penalties," Crosby said. "You try to stick up for your guy, but you want to do it the right way."
One more time:
Penguins 2, Senators 1.
"If there's a way to make it better, that's the way, I guess," Crosby said.
The Penguins should get more good news today. If the NHL doesn't suspend Sutton for at least one game, it will be a crime because he led with his elbow. Sutton is a repeat head-shots offender; he was suspended for two games in January for boarding Penguins winger Pascal Dupuis, leaving Dupuis with a cut that required 37 stitches to close, a cut so deep that the doctor could reach through and touch his skull.
You think Dupuis enjoyed the outcome of this game? When seen late Friday night, he was chasing his kids through the bowels of Mellon Arena. He had the biggest smile on his face.
Crosby put it there.
"It's impossible to stop him, especially every night," Ottawa coach Cory Clouston said. "I thought he was the best player on the ice tonight."
When isn't Crosby?
He did it early in Game 2, tying things at 1-1 by backhanding in a rebound of a shot by teammate Chris Kunitz. He really did it late by preventing an Ottawa goal and then setting up Penguins defenseman Kris Letang for the winning goal.
Crosby's save was better than any made by Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury or his Senators counterpart, Brian Elliott. A shot by Ottawa defenseman Anton Volchenkov leaked through Fleury and was headed into the net when Crosby dived into the crease to knock the puck aside.
"One of those things, being in the right place at the right time," Crosby said.
Isn't it funny how that sort of thing keeps happening to the world's best hockey player?
The play Crosby made on Letang's goal was even better. He took a pass from winger Bill Guerin and fairly danced back and forth behind the Senators' net, trying to create space from Ottawa center Jason Spezza, who was covering him. It seemed like he had the puck forever before he finally came out in front of the net and -- after seeing he had no shot -- found Letang from his knees for a slap shot that beat Elliott from about 55 feet.
"We were all laughing. Great assist by Billy," Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik said of the second assist credited to Guerin on the play. "It was probably 40 seconds before Tanger shot it."
Added Dupuis: "No one else can do what Sid did there. He's just so strong and so quick. He's unbelievable."
Crosby, as usual and as per his captaincy, was more impressed with the work of his teammates, especially the defensemen -- Orpik, Letang, Sergei Gonchar, Mark Eaton and Alex Goligoski -- who had to play the final two-plus periods short-handed after Leopold's injury. They did so in what might have been the Penguins' most physical game of the season. They were credited with a staggering 52 hits, including nine by Orpik.
"They continued to be really sturdy for us," Crosby said.
You have to wonder if the loss -- not to mention all of those hits -- will take a big toll on the Senators. They already are down two key wingers -- Alex Kovalev and Milan Michalek -- and defenseman Filip Kuba because of injuries. Now, they could be without Sutton. They are running out of players.
This might have been the Senators' best chance to take control of the series. Going home for Game 3 with a 2-0 lead? They would have been tough to beat.
Crosby wouldn't allow it.
Who else but Crosby?
Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com. Ron Cook can be heard on the "Vinnie and Cook" show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan.
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