The game wasn't an entertaining one to watch. The Pens for the second game in a row struggled offensively, but once again the story was all about Fleury and the defense. They have stepped up immensely. Would it be a stretch to say Fleury has at least entered people's minds as a potential Hart trophy candidate? The Pens gave him the honor of naming him team MVP yesterday.
Recap after the jump.......
The Panthers got on the board first scoring on a strange deflection late in the 2nd. Tough goal to give up. This had the look of those afternoon games we all dread, when some mud team comes to town and the Pens don't show for the 1pm start. Two and a half hours later we all head back home not sure how to handle a Spring Sunday evening in Pittsburgh...
So we thought until Neal and Kovy do some work down deep in the corners. Kovy slides a pass to Lovejoy and he goes top shelf to make it 1-1 2 minutes later. He and Engo have really stepped up their game since dealing Gogo at the deadline. Good stuff.
The Pens held on in the 3rd. OT again solved nada and we were off to the shootout for the 4th game in a row.
Letang - Clemmensen there - SAVE
Santorelli - Missed wide - SAVE
Kovalev - Sick move - GOAL
Bergfors - Sick pokecheck by Fleury - SAVE
Neal - Comes down wrist shot city - GOAL
PENS WIN
Three Stars:
3rd - B. Lovejoy - PIT
2nd - A. Kovalev - PIT
1st - M. A. Fleury - PIT
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
Yesterday's win coupled with the Flyers 2-1 loss to the Bruins sets up a huge game this Tuesday against the Flyers at Consol. The Pens sit 2 points back with one more game played, but a win in regulation for the Pens tomorrow gives us a legitimate chance of taking the Atlantic and possibly 1st in the East. Should be a fun atmosphere, hopefully Consol will bring the ruckus.
Kovalev will score a huge playoff goal. I know he for the most part floats around the ice since we acquired him, but I'm confident you will see a different player come playoff time. Especially if Crosby comes back....
Which brings me to my next prediction/optimistic guess/sorta educated guess. LOOK FOR CROSBY TO RETURN APRIL 5TH @ HOME VS THE DEVILS.
Why do I think so? I dunno just a hunch.
Pens have just six more games and only two more at home to close out the season. They've clinched a playoff spot for the 5th year in a row. Don't ever take that for granted, remember back to the X-Generation days and how we all dreamed to be in contention for a playoff spot.
The upcoming couple months is what we live for as hockey fans. Tough to find a better time in the Burgh than hockey mania in the months of April and May.
Fasten your seat belts.
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