Out-shot, out-played, and ultimately out-scored. That's the best way to really sum up this game.
Had the Penguins played the entire game like they did in the third period, this game would have been entirely different. Sigh. Could've, would've, should've but didn't. The Penguins mantra?
I don't know who the better goalie has been in the past two games...and I mean that in the sense of opposition. Biron or Lundqvist? Both did an excellent job of shutting down the Penguins, although I will add on as an extension to Lundqvist his defense's ability to just completely and utterly shutdown Evgeni Malkin.
This win marks five straight for the Rangers on home-ice and two straight losses for the Pens. I think Therrien will resort to a coin toss for the decision of next game's starting goalie.
Gary Roberts commited the cardinal sin when playing the Rangers - he allowed Sean Avery to get under his skin. The four minute double-minor ultimately cost the Pens a powerplay goal, but Roberts decided 4 minutes wasn't enough. He'd have three minors by the end of the night.
Let me say this now. The Pens NEED Ryan Whitney back on the blueline. Nasreddeine's shots look like chips from the point, and he in no way drives in towards the net in the way Whitney does. Plus, I'm starting to think the Crosby-Malkin combo is becomming a bit too choreographed. It's getting to the point where when Sid has it, the D knows it's going to Malkin, and when Malkin has it it's going to Crosby. It's a nice attack having both Malkin and Sid on the same line, but perhaps it was a good idea keeping them seperate. Not only does it leave depth to the lines, but it also opens up the ice to any other attacker when Sid is in control.
I'll hand it to the Rangers. I've always considered myself to be a person who is able to give credit when credit is due. Lundqvist is a machine. He's beyond human. The only way to beat the Rangers is the way in which the Pens won last time. Shutdown their offense and try and maintain a small lead. Now it's going to be an entirely different story, as Gomez is really starting to open things up for the tema with five consecutive point-or-more games.
Congrats to the geriatric Recchi for scoring his second goal of the season. I never really tought he'd be a first liner this year, but a fourth line appearance was entirely out of my parameter of thought. Of course, he's also one of the most shuffled Penguins, and tonight I think he played on the third line. Either way, nice effort Recchi. Perhaps he was ignited by Lindros' retirement.
I said it in my last recap and I'll say it again - the Pens REALLY need a right-handed shot on the blueline. Every time you see the puck leave the zone, check the position of the defenseman. More often than not it's a left-handed defenseman on his backhand. Tonight that was the case at least twice, hurting even more when on the powerplay.
The Pens head in to Philly again Saturday night in hopes of evening the season series with the Flyers. This is a horrible time for the Pens to go cold. Considering all of the division games this month, it certainly won't bode well should they come up winless in over half of their next six.
Penguins Goals
1st Period
Gonchar from Crosby-Malkin
2nd Period
NONE
3rd Period
Recchi from Roberts-Gonchar
Fleury - 35-39
Lundqvist - 26-28
