The Penguins fired out to a quick lead in the first thanks to two goals from Crosby. The defense was looking good, Sabourin was looking comfortable and frankly the Pens were getting some lucky bounces on D to keep the Avalanche puck out of the net. The defense even killed an early first period 5 on 3 with what looked like just another day at the job. The first period ended Pens 2, Colorado 0.
The second period rolled around and remained a comfortable 2-0 by the 10 minute mark. Of course this changed with a Penguins too many men on the ice penalty to ultimately lead to a Colorado goal, trimming the lead to one.
Shortly after a delayed penalty was on the way for the Pens, more specificlly Sidney Crosby. Unable to touchup on the puck, Colorado took it deep in to the Pens' zone and sent a shot home to tie the score at two, cancelling out the Crosby penalty in the process. That wound up being a double sided blade, as the goal not only tied the game for the Avalanche, but Sid's complaining and arguing with the referees after the play resulted in an unsportsmanlike call for another Colorado powerplay.
Luckily the Pens managed to kill that one off. Crosby came firing out of the box and let go of a rebound on a Malone shot that screamed hat trick; but Theodore somehow managed to keep it out. Nearly two minutes later the Avalanche would take the lead on a wrap around play that somehow slipped in past a surprised Dany Sabourin.
All of this came in the second period. Heading into the third, Colorado had taken the lead 3-2.
In the third the Penguins were unable to convert on the first two powerplay chances coming from a Sakic delay of game and Ryan Smyth interference call. That would be it for any chances, thus sealing the deal for the Avalanche and leaving Penguins fan hat trickless for the second consecutive game.
Overall the entire team fell apart in the second period. A 2-0 lead was not enough to hold off Colorado. In my preview post I asked whether we'd see some sleepers this game or not. Well, Crosby is far from a sleeper on the Pens but Colorado had a quiet night from Stastny and Sakic, in turn opening it up for some other guys. Unfortunately for the Pens, shutting down the big names on the Avalanche was not enough as they take a loss on the road and head back to the east coast for a game against the Islanders on Saturday.
I for one can't even pinpoint what went wrong and where. All I know is the Pens took a loss that should have been an easy win if they played the rest of the game like they did in the first.
In the end the Pens converted again on the powerplay, putting them at at least one powerplay goal in every game so far this season. Another one would have been nice tonight, considering the opportunities handed to them. But hey, I'm just a wishful thinker. And to make matters even worse, Talbot received stitches after taking a stick to the face and Whitney didn't play in the third thanks to a groin injury. More on that tomorrow.
Penguins Goals
1st Period
Crosby from Gonchar-Eaton
Crosby from Malkin-Gonchar
2nd Period
None
3rd Period
None
Sabourin 30-33
Theodore 26-28
