Ask any coach and he'll tell ya, "The best way to win a game, unless you're the Penguins, is to give up two goals in the first five minutes". Somehow, this strategy worked well for the Avalanche and Islanders, but not the Penguins.
Talk about deflating. Coming off a Devil beat down on Monday night, the Penguins found themselves in the hole tonight by the score of 2-0 before Therrien could even switch up the lines half a dozen times. He'd eventually go on to do it anyways, even working Laraque on to the powerplay unit in hopes of opening up the front -but alas, to no avail.
Despite practicing and saying he'd have a go on the night, Ryan Whitney opted to sit out one more in favor of playing tomorrow against the Rangers. I'd like to have seen him play both games, but if I had to choose I'd say take the one with the Rangers.
Could Alain Nasreddeine be any more worthless? I'd almost rather see Ruutu take a stab at being on defense rather than having Nas running around and fumbling the puck like a peewee. Speaking of, the Pens REALLY need a right-handed shot somewhere in that lineup, most preferably on the blueline. Eaton's diving attempt to swat a puck in on the backhand might have had a better chance had he possessed a right-hand shot. Sykora's one-timer might have gone in had Malkin's pass been to a righty shooter. And as far as Gonchar goes, that guy plays more kicks to the point on the backhand than I've ever seen a defenseman do. I'm not saying the Penguins lack quality puck movement (minus this game), but a right-handed shot would be stellar.
Perhaps it's time for: "Hi, Mr. Letang? It's Coach Therrien".
Come on Therrien, what are you waiting for?
I don't blame Sabourin for this one. Frankly the score had a chance of being close to 5-1, especially coming on that Brierre blank right on the goal line. If you had to blame anything this game, it'd be the inability to clear their own zone, poor puck handling both in AND out of the zone and a insanely good Flyers penalty kill.
Thus ends the 14 consecutive games with a powerplay goal. Thus ends another 8-0 season against the Flyers.
So much for starting a divisional winning streak.
But hey, at least Crosby kept his scoring streak on a roll with his assist to Malone in the closing seconds of the first.
Perhaps this year the Flyers will be the Penguins of last year, as it almost seems certain they're on their way to a HUGE turn around. Well played, Flyers - well played indeed.
See you again on Saturday 'round your parts.
Penguins Goals
1st Period
Malone from Crosby-Malkin
2nd Period
NONE
3rd Period
NONE
