RECAP 36: Relief in Raleigh

Since I don’t know if someone with talent is going show up and write a real recap for yesterday’s game against Hurricanes…well, I’m going to throw some crap on the wall and see if it sticks.

During this 10-4-2 run by Pens, their GA per game is 2.75. For the season, it was 3.40 when this stretch began.
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91) December 22, 2018

Pens' PK was 80.0% last season and stands at 83.3% now. Among changes: Letang+Dumoulin were 1-2 in SH TOI last season among D but have been supplanted by Johnson+Maatta; Cullen, ZAR and Rust have replaced Hagelin, Rowney, Kuhnhackl in spots 2-4 for SH TOI among F.
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91) December 22, 2018

Murray has stopped 69 of 73 shots since his return (.945).
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91) December 22, 2018

For the last 30 days the Penguins’ form has been pretty nice overall (sorry for using the proper date format):

There has been some downs there too but in hindsight this looks pretty decent. Frk the Flyers though.

Here are the line combos and defense pairs the Penguins will use tonight against Carolina. pic.twitter.com/adreAjmZp7
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 22, 2018

Sidney Crosby doesn't even need to be skating to make an impact on the game.

Crosby's pass from his knees went straight to @Letang_58 (four points in his last five games; 1G-3A), who made no mistake and buried it up high. pic.twitter.com/wFAQET8Piw
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 23, 2018

Oh my. Sid with some totally awesome puck protection and skill to eventually pass the puck to Tanger who buries his shot from an uncomfortable looking angle. No chance for Mac-El-Hiney.

The Canes played their only good hockey of the game in the last ten minutes of the first period. They even claimed to have scored a goal but posts don’t count, silly.

Nope, definitely not a goal. pic.twitter.com/SWJDHcrz2N
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 23, 2018

Three out of four categories and a one-goal lead, not too shabby. pic.twitter.com/nm7rS2VrOp
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 23, 2018

Dan Potash spoke to @Letang_58 during the intermission about his goal: "I’m just trying to get open. Obviously, Sid attracts a lot of people to him, and I was just trying to find the open spot. He made a great play." pic.twitter.com/SS3uCNJmHS
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 23, 2018

Just look at this guy…

Jake Guentzel scored this one through traffic… Guess who had the assists?

If you said Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust again, you'd be correct. pic.twitter.com/gtik4gugCS
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 23, 2018

Sid pass, Snek goal. The first line has been absolutely dominating lately.

You might say that these guys are feeling pretty good 😁

Guentzel's second of the game was assisted by Sidney Crosby (you really shouldn't be surprised at this point) and Phil Kessel. pic.twitter.com/iStLWt3Oce
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 23, 2018

I’m starting to see a pattern here but I can’t quite put my finger on it.

Overall, the stats pretty close through 40 minutes of play.

…but we do like that last category a whole lot 😏 pic.twitter.com/SzGCsk5NQC
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 23, 2018

And then onto the third period…

The 4,000th regular season game in franchise history is a PENG-WIN and a shutout for Matt Murray!

This is Murray's second shutout of the season and eighth of his career. pic.twitter.com/KUDou0OcKJ
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 23, 2018

Oops.

I gotta say I like how the Pens have played of late. The accountability has been there. Murray and DeSmith have been sharp and the skaters have bailed them out at the moments of need (and vice versa). The first line is crazy good. Three game winning streak is a great way to kick off this Krismas break.

Murray Krismas from every hard working writer/artist (and me) here on Pens.Hockey! Love you all!

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