The on going see-saw that is the "Faith in Fleury Campaign" has just been given a much needed insurance boost.
After facing the hook from Coach Therrien against the Ottawa Senators, Marc-Andre Fleury started and finished a 5-0 shutout performance against the Atlanta Thrashers. This goes down as his second blank of the year, the first coming against the Rangers in October.
The game started with what appeared to be the look and feel of a Saturday night blowout when the Penguins walked out of the first period up 3-0. As noted in the past games against the Avalanche, Rangers and Islanders, a two or three goal lead is hardly a cushion. However, it would be more than enough tonight, as the team would later pad the lead even more with two more goals.
Sergei Gonchar had a three point game, dishing three helpers that left the Thrashers seeing red.
Jordan Staal managed to break his season long drought with the first goal of the game, only his second on the year. After going 13 pointless games, Staal has a goal and an assist in the past two.
Ryan Malone scored his third goal in two games on a Gonchar pass halfway through the first. The scoring depth on the team is certainly apparant, as is the hitting from the fourth line consisting of Laraque, Ruutu and Hall.
The power play unit was playing at an extreme level tonight. Given only three chances in what was a relatively penalty free game, the Penguins converted twice on the night with a Malone goal in the first and Crosby tally in the second. The offense is finally back to producing, hitting the mark 11 times in the last two games. The Pens are starting to show signs of a full range hockey team as they're playing both sides of the puck much better and the goaltending debacle begins to settle itself down.
The Pens' biggest obstacle this week may in fact be themselves. Although too early to necessarily constitute as a 'streak', the Penguins have won their last two in a row. Now five days separate them between their next and last game of the month against the Dallas Stars. Hopefully the time away from the ice won't shut them down.
Penguins Goals
1st Period
Staal from Roberts-Kennedy
Malone from Gonchar-Letang
Armstrong from Crosby-Gonchar
2nd Period
Crosby from Gonchar-Christensen
3rd Period
Whitney from Roberts-Kennedy
Fleury - 28-28
Pavelec - 29-34
Coming soon: November in review, Dallas Stars preview and a look at the All Penguins team featuring the All-time best roster consisting of players to ever wear the black and gold.
