Pens Insider: A modest four goals, but it's enough
By Chris Bradford
Beaver County Times
http://www.timesonline.com
cbradford@timesonline.com | Posted: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 12:07 am
PITTSBURGH --- The Penguins and Lighting combined for seven goals on Monday, a rather modest total by the NHL’s two highest-scoring teams.
Of course, there was nothing modest about who scored them, or how.
Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby scored in spectacular fashion two minutes apart in the third period as the Penguins rallied for a 4-3 win Monday at Consol Energy Center. It was the Penguins’ first win when trailing after two periods (1-6-0) and extended their home winning streak to a season-high three games.
“You see two displays of skill and offense and you see the game turn quickly,” Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said.
Indeed.
Malkin, in his first game back after missing the previous four with a concussion, scored at the 5:38 mark on a brilliant individual effort that will surely make the highlight shows for, oh, another decade or two.
Crosby countered at the 7:29 mark when he one-timed a shot past Lightning goalie Anders Lindback, who stood no chance against the Penguins’ dynamic duo.
“Mine wasn’t quite as nice but they all count,” said Crosby, who maintained his two-point lead over Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos, who added a pair of goals.
HIDDEN STAT
12: Chris Kunitz’s first-period goal was his 12th of the season in just 23 games. A season ago, Kunitz established a career-high with 26 goals in 82 games. Pro-rated over a normal 82-game schedule, the 33-year-old would’ve been on pace for a 40-plus goal season. Reunited with regular linemates Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis, Kunitz was a plus-3 Monday and now has scored goals in four straight games and has nine points in his last six games. “Just trying to find some soft areas and shoot the puck,” said Kunitz. “It’s nice that it’s going in.”
KEY PLAY
With the score knotted at 1-1 midway through the second period, Marc-Andre Fleury denied Tampa Bay defenseman Keith Aulie from the doorstep. Aulie, who jumped up into the play after blowing past the Penguins’ defense, took a saucer pass from Martin St. Louis but couldn’t get the puck past Fleury, who slid to his right to make the pad stop at the 9:10 mark. Fleury, who made 25 saves, improved to 52-18-10 all-time in March. "That was a fun one, definitely,” said Fleury, who made just his second start in the last four games. “If I can just make a few key saves here and there, I was confident that we could get a few goals and get the win at the end."
NOTEWORTHY
-- F Zach Boychuk was placed on waivers Monday, if he isn’t claimed by noon Tuesday, he can be assigned to Wilkes Barre-Scranton (AHL). Boychuk appeared in eight games for Pittsburgh, recording zero points, two PIMs, and six shots on goal.
-- In a secondary move, F Beau Bennett was re-assigned to WBS to open up a roster spot for Evgeni Malkin, who returned to the lineup after missing four games with a concussion. Bennett, 21, recorded three points and a plus-1 rating in eight games. The Penguins will have an open roster spot once Boychuk clears waivers or is claimed, opening the door for Bennett’s return.
-- Despite missing four games this season, Malkin still remains the league-leader in power-play points with 14 (three goals). His 11 power-play assists are tied for the league lead with San Jose’s Joe Thornton.
-- Sidney Crosby extended his scoring streak to five games by assisting on Kunitz’s first-period goal. The captain has recorded 11 points (four goals) over the streak. He also has points in eight of the team’s 10 home games this season and is currently leading the league in points with 36 and assists with 25.
-- Lightning F Steven Stamkos extended his scoring streak to 10 games by scoring two goals, one of which came at the 19:52 mark of the third period. Stamkos has picked up 17 points (10) goals over the streak.
-- With two assists, D Kris Letang leads all NHL blueliners with 21 points (three goals). He has recorded 17 points (two goals) over his last 14 games.
-- D Brooks Orpik, who blocked 4 shots against Tampa Bay, sits just one behind Philadelphia’s Nicklas Grossmann for the league lead with 65.
-- D Mark Eaton suited up for his first home game as a Penguin since a 5-2 loss to Montreal on May 12, 2010. The loss in Game 7 of the Penguins’ second-round series eliminated the defending Stanley Cup Champions from the playoffs that season. Eaton’s last regular season appearance on home ice was April 8, 2010 against the New York Islanders.
-- Former Penguin G Mathieu Garon, who won the Stanley Cup with the team in 2009, started the game for Tampa Bay, but left during the second period with a lower-body injury. He had made 12 saves on 13 shots to that point.
-- The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Penguins, who moved within two points of Montreal for the Eastern Conference lead.
-- The Penguins have now won five in a row at home over Tampa Bay dating back to March 2010. Pittsburgh has outscored Tampa Bay 34-11 over that span.
-- The comeback was the Penguins ninth such win over the past two seasons, tied for second-most in the NHL behind only Tampa Bay (10).
-- The Penguins scratched D Paul Martin, who is still dealing with a lower-body injury, D Robert Bortuzzo, and F Boychuk.
-- With 18,656 in attendance, the Penguins’ extended their sellout streak to 264 games.
Brian Metzer, Times Sports Correspondent
QUOTABLE
“You’re definitely going to see that goal again.” -- Dan Bylsma, Penguins coach, on Evgeni Malkin’s highlights reel goal in the second period.
THREE STARS
1. Sidney Crosby, Pit
2. Evgeni Malkin, Pit
3. Steven Stamkos, Pit
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