The Penguins took their show to the road last night to conclude their season series with the Jets in the second of a back-to-back. both teams had to travel before this one so being tired would not be a valid excuse. Prior to the beginning of the game, which aired on NHL Network, they were showing a ton of stories featuring children’s cancer and the foundations that exist in honor of some hockey players who ultimately passed. After drying my eyes I finally dug into the Grove
It’s weird how some things against certain teams form patterns. The Penguins would give up the first goal in this game as well.
Michel Ouellet!
The Pens announced what we kind of expected before the game. Jarry was in, Jack Johnson would swap spots with Erik Gudbranson.
John Marino has played two NHL veterans out of a job.
There was a breakneck pace to start this one out. Not even two minutes into the game the Penguins failed to communicate and Mathieu Perreault threw an innocent puck to the net that bounced off Jared McCann and in to give the Jets an early lead.
Flashbacks to the last time these two teams met were quickly erased when the Pens role players continued their strong play.
ZACH ASTON-REESE Assisted by Blueger and Tanev (3) @ 4:09
The grinders are grinding and man what a difference it makes when the team has more than two lines that can score. Brandon Tanev continues to impress.
After two goals in the first five minutes, the pace of play slowed down considerably. In fact, the net five minutes were basically played int he neutral zone other than a few shots. At the midpoint of the period, Dominik Kahun took a hooking penalty to send the Jets to the powerplay. The Jets powerplay had possession in the offensive zone for about ten years but didn’t get any shots on goal.
The remaining eight minutes of play was essentially like watching tug-of-war as both teams exchanged possessions but no really threatening chances.
The Jets came out in the second period with a good step and gave Tristan Jarry some good looks but he was sharp. A few minutes in the Jets had a great odd-man opportunity but Patric Hornqvist got on his horse and back-checked to disrupt a scoring chance. Not long after this, the Jets had some good pressure going int he Penguins zone when Mason Appleton took an ill-advised tripping penalty in his own zone. The Penguins powerplay had a ton of looks with the first unit but Croissant was making saves left and right. As the second unit took over Crosby stayed on the ice and faked a shot before passing it back to Pettersson. Pettersson looked up and found Dumoulin in the slot, you read that correctly, and Dumoulin looked up to see the Snake coiled up in front ready to strike
JAKE GUENTZEL (3) Assisted by Dumoulin (2) & Pettersson @ 7:50 PPG
Remember when people were questioning Sullivan for putting Guentzel on the powerplay? Guentzel has a nose for the net and knows how to finish. This is a really nice pass by Dumoulin to Guentzel.
The Penguins have had a nasty habit of giving up goals right after scoring. Mike Sullivan’s answer for that in this game was to put out the young guns with energy for the next shift and the result was the fourth line notching another one
SAM LAFFERTY (2) Assisted by Blandisi and Letang (5) @ 8:31
Letang with yet another point in the early season as he makes a great pass up ice to Blandisi, the assist would be Letang’s 500th point of his career. Blandisi with a heads up play to take this shot on goal knowing Lafferty is breaking in. This line is essentially playing a dump in on steroids and it is effective at getting scoring chances.
Less than a minute after taking a two-goal lead the Pens got themselves in a sticky situation that left Gudbranson with no chance but to take a penalty. The Jets powerplay hit the ice for the second time in the game and this time they would convert when Mark Scheifele scored with 10 minutes left.
Two minutes after the goal Dominik Simon hooked a Jet and Winnipeg’s powerplay took to the ice for a chance to tie it up. The Penguins were able to clear the pucks a few times and after 1:15 of powerplay time Connor hooked up Gudbranson to send us to 4v4 for 45 seconds. Sullivan used Marino and Dumoulin as the first pair out on the 4v4 in preparation for the upcoming powerplay, which tells you exactly how they feel about Marino’s game. The Pens had two great looks on the powerplay, the first from Guentzel the second from Schultz but no dice on either.
Following the five minute commercial break the first line got to work and after a Pettersson shot bounces off a Jet and Simon the puck ends up in the feet of a falling Crosby behind the goal. This wouldn’t mean much for most hockey players, but it’s a point opportunity for Sidney Crosby, who kicks the puck while falling down from behind the goalline to Simon who buries it.
DOMINIK SIMON Assisted by Crosby (6) & Pettersson (2) @ 16:28
I don’t have words for Crosby anymore. This tear has been absolutely insane. I am so pissed that my unborn children won’t get to watch this man play. What a player.
The Jets pressured a bit towards the end of the period but Jarry stood tall and the Pens took a 4-2 lead to the locker room.
The Penguins are quickly becoming a second-period team and I am here for it.
For the second straight night, the Pens took a lead into the third period and their only goal was to escape without injury. The Jets were attempting to get back in the game but the Pens new focus on defense seems to be paying off. Five minutes into the period John Marino took a high sticking penalty that gave the Jets a golden opportunity but the Pens PK was up to the task.
Winnipeg spent the next three minutes cycling in the Penguins zone but couldn’t get anything going. By the time the Penguins finally got a chance, they didn’t waste it.
SAM LAFFERTY (3) Assisted by ZAR (2) & Schultz (4) @ 9:13
Lafferty gets some help off a deflection but this doesn’t happen if he doesn’t take a chance and put it on net. Talk about taking advantage of your opportunities, what a weekend for Lafferty.
The goal was a backbreaker for the Jets and the Penguins did not let off the gas. Two minutes later Jake Guentzel was finding himself wide open again and burying it.
JAKE GUENTZEL (4) Assisted by Letang (6) & Crosby (7) @ 11:40
Great vision by Letang and just another highlight showing how good Guentzel is at getting open in crowded situations. It’s almost like covering a 40-goal-scorer would be a good idea.
A few minutes after Guentzel put the game out of reach Adam Johnson would take a slashing penalty 14 minutes into the period and the Jets had a chance to maybe inject some life into their fans. Instead, it was Zorro the Reese man taking it to the house short-handed
ZACH ASTON-REESE (2) @ 14:46 SHG
Another goal from the bottom six good lord you better kiss ya momma the penguins are here
The Penguins would kill the rest of that penalty as well as a delay of game penalty taken 16 minutes in to finish this off and
WALK
AWAY
WITH
DA DEUCE
THOUGHTS
- The Pens front office is working overtime right now trying to figure out what to do with Sam Lafferty. The kid doesn’t want to go back to Wilkes-Barre, and suddenly Dominik Kahun is an afterthought
- The Penguins defense since John Marino became a starter has been solid.
- 14 goals in two games while missing over $20 million of forwards
- Tristan Jarry was sharp in his season opener. I’ve always liked his game more than DeSmith’s from a positioning sense which was on display in this one
- Pens back at home Wednesday night against the Avalanche
Loading ...No porn from the Jets game :/