Fleury Stars in Shutout Victory Over Devils: 1-0 (SO)

When the Pens lost Crosby and Malkin back in January and February you knew this team was going to be hard pressed to find the back of the net. One player who has needed to step up was Marc-Andre Fleury and he has. Last night was more proof that Fleury has done just that.

Recap after the jump.........

Every game against the Devils you pretty know what to expect. Its going to be a defensive affair, its going to come down to goalie play, the trap is going to suck the will to live out of you. Gotta feel for New Jersey season ticket holders at times, its just not an attractive brand of hockey to watch for the most part.

Tough game to recap.

The Pens defense was lights out in the 1st, only giving up 1 shot to the Devils.

The 2nd and 3rd periods were a continuation of the defensive play. The Pens had to kill off some big power plays, especially in the 3rd with Niskanen and Lovejoy taking penalties with under 10 minutes left.

I dont know if its just me or does Kovalchuk just seem less threatening playing for New Jersey? His one-timer just doesnt seem as booming as it used to. Either that or I've just seen Ovechkin too much in the last couple years. He had some serious opportunities, one coming on the PP and his stick broke in half sending his blade into the crowd. To the girl who caught that blade, please take it to the authorities to see how completely illegal the curve on his stick is.

OT didn't solve anything so off to the shootout for the 3rd game in a row.

Letang - Misses net
Rolston - Save Fleury
Kovalev - Save Brodeur
Kovalchuk - Save Fleury
Neal - Throws a little dangle on Broduer shoots for the top-shelf and.....

Elias - Save Fleury - GAME.

Another big two points. The Pens with 96 points now sit only two back of the Flyers for 1st in the Atlantic and the East. The Flyers do have 2 games in hand though.

Florida on Sunday. Orpik expected to play. Who sits Lovejoy or Engelland? Both have been solid. The D gets a boost with Brooks throwing the body around regardless.

THREE STARS:
3rd - J. Neal - PIT
2nd - M. Brodeur - NJ
1st - M.A. Fleury - PIT

Keep on rollin' Guins