Marc Andre Fleury made 31 saves and was 3-for-3 in the shootout as the Pittsburgh Penguins (25-10-1) defeated the Buffalo Sabres (21-10-3) 2-1 Saturday night for their fifth straight win and 25th win of the season.
Sabres goaltender Patrick Lalime did his best impression of Ryan Miller making 23 saves and holding the Penguins to one goal in regulation. Kris Letang scored the lone goal for Pittsburgh in the shootout. Sidney Crosby (5-for-6) was stopped by Lalime in the shootout for the first time this season.
The big story of the night was Marc Andre Fleury who earned his 21st win of the season. At the young age of 25, Fleury has established himself as one of the top 5 goaltenders in the game. His development over the past two seasons has him right where the Penguins expected him to be when they drafted him 1st overall in 2003. The difference in Fleury's game now to even last year is his rebound control. It's what has made him an elite goaltender in this league as he's controlling games now.
Post-Buffalo Thoughts
*In evaluating the Penguins 2-1 win, the Sabres desperately missed Thomas Vanek who did not play. The Sabres were 0-for-8 on the power play and Vanek could have been a difference maker as the Sabres lack another top end player who can take over a game.
*Meanwhile Pittsburgh was 0-for-5 on the power play and with Pittsburgh using Evgeni Malkin at the left point, Alex Goligoski is starting to see his production slow down as he had another pointless night and 0 shots on goal.
However, tonight was a prime example that Goligoski still has some short-comings in the defensive zone and his defensive game has taken a hit of late.
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