The Penguins hockey club of Pittsburgh played their 5th preseason game last night, meaning that we are only 1 meaningless game away from the regular season. Overall the team that we (the fan base) support, played like a team that was dressing 6 new players for the first time this preseason. They (the team, which we (the fans) are not on) showed signs of rust, but not Bryan Rust. Kessel played in his first game since having hand surgery due to a “me time” injury from a juice on the cup photoshoot he was preparing for the Toronto Sun. He mentioned before the game that his hand wasn’t 100% but he was looking forward to getting it game ready. Some joke named Martin Frk scored for the Redwings. FRK: the audible noise you make when you start to swear but then realize there are kids around. For the record Olli Maatta did not appear rusty, but that is most likely because he is slower than the oxidation process that actual rust takes to form.
1st Period: 2-0 DET. Shots 12-7 DET
Goals: Gustav Nyquist Assisted by Sproul & Athanasiou @ 7:34
A terrible turnover by Schultz resulted in an extended zone possession time for the Wangs, the shot from the point bounced off more men than Taylor Swift leaving Fleury with little chance of tracking the puck during the scrum, and it was behind him before he saw it again.
Tyler Bertuzzi, Assisted by Sheahan & Nyquist @ 15:35 PPG
The Wings enter the zone and all seems to be covered, Schultz on his guy taking away a passing lane to Pulkkinen, Rowney trying to reach Pulkkinen. Tom Kuhnhackl does his best Dion Phaneuf parking cone, and Bertuzzi slides into the zone behind him. Bertuzzi shows some decent hands and goes 5-hole on Fleury. One Fleury usually gets.
2nd Period: 4-2 DET. Shots 13-14 PIT
Goals: Connor Rowney assisted by Maatta & Wilson at 6:12
Butters with a nice carry into the zone, but his centering pass was too hard and not accurate enough. Luckily it ended up on Rowney’s stick, and with the help of a deflection it went in.
Kris Letang assisted by Cullen & Fehr @ 14:01 SHG
Unreal save on the opportunity by Cullen in front of the net, when Coreau is working the night shift at a lumberyard after playing back to back nights in the AHL he will be able to recall that save. Unfortunately for him, Cullen found the rebound and smoothly fed Letang who just ripped a blistering shot.
Before this goal happened Fleury made a desperation save that was pretty spectacular. Bob Errey said it reminded him of the Game 7 2009 SCF clinching save… Not even close, but thanks for playing Bob.
Martin Frk assisted by Bertuzzi & Sheahan @ 15:11 PPG
Freeze the video at the 6 second mark. Penalty Kill situation and both defenders are on the goal line. Partially Maatta’s fault for overcommitting, majority Warsofsky’s fault for the overcommitting to Maatta’s overcommitting, leaving Frickumfrackem open.
Brendan Smith assisted by Nyquist @ 17:24
Fleury plays a puck off the boards and Warsofsky misplays it and loses the puck as well as his spot on the opening night roster, resulting in a turnover to Nyquist who finds Smith. Some will blame Fleury’s pass, but that play is always going to be on the defender, if you can’t handle the puck then your new job is to not let the other team handle it.
3rd Period: 5-2 DET. Shots 11-5 PIT
Goals: Steve Ott assisted by Lashoff @ 19:43 SHG, EN
Steve Ott is still alive?
Thoughts:
- Derrick Pouliot played himself out of the 6th man competition, potentially the 7th man spot, and being a contract year for him, maybe a new uniform. Justin Schultz played himself into the starting lineup, but it was handed to him based on the play of Pouliot and Warsofsky. I think being paired with Cole or Dumoulin will allow Schultz to feel more comfortable, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is sitting at 12-15 goals at seasons end.
- Kris Letang with 27:00 of ice time, last season he upped his usual workload, and it appears that he will be doing the same this season. Not sure it is necessary if the defense is performing adequately.
- Meaningless game or not, GMJR needs to give some of his viagra to the PP, 0/7 tonight…
- Regular Season starts in 6 days, Buckle Up Chip.
SSG_S PRE-REV POLL DANCE #1
[socialpoll id=”2392309″]
SSG_S PRE-REV POLL DANCE #2
[socialpoll id=”2392409″]
MEANWHILE…
#Pens down to 14 healthy forwards and eight healthy defensemen after sending Jake Guentzel and Carter Rowney to WBS this morning. -MC
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) October 7, 2016
Jake the Snake and “Jimmy” Carter Rowney – it was fun while it lasted. Maybe we’ll see you during the dog days of winter. Good luck dahn in Wilkes-BEAR.