The Penguins 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights Thursday night didn’t see much improvement in the Penguins level of play from the Canadiens game, except on the scoreboard.
What played out is Phil Kessel and Casey DeSmith happened.
Kessel recorded a hat trick, highlighted by a breakaway goal, while DeSmith was excellent in goal with 35 saves that included a 2-on-0 stop.
Pittsburgh improved to 2-1 on the season because of those two.
This was the type of game when a Phil Kessel shows his worth. Pittsburgh was badly outplayed and Kessel was a game changer with 3 goals.
And for the first time in the week old season, Pittsburgh got above average goaltending.
The negatives for the Penguins in the win was struggles to tilt the ice during 5-on-5 play.
“Obviously we’re pleased that we won and we got the result,” Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said. “But I think our team is capable of getting to another level. I don’t think we had the puck nearly as much as we need to have it in order for us to be at our best.”
Pittsburgh was out-attempted 66-39 at 5 vs 5, minus-10 in total high danger chances.
Most alarming was the Penguins No. 2 pairing of Jack Johnson – Justin Schultz who were in their own end all game.
Johnson-Schultz pairing was at 22% in possession. Just one game and 22% will surely not be the norm, but Justin Schultz’ game is tailored where you need him in that 50-52% range to get value out of him on the ice.
MORE BUZZ
So how did Matt Murray go from being diagnosed with a concussion (announced on Tuesday) to practicing fully on Thursday and Friday where he’s under consideration to dress vs the Canadiens.
Word from sources on the inside is that what played out here is the Penguins jumped To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
— Though things can always change, Olli Maatta was told early in the week his benching would be a short-term one as in one-two games To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Crosby… currently tied with Schultz for production on the team, places them tied for fourth. By all means sam, blame the guys scoring, Malkin at a 2:1 ratio right now…
Sid’s two breakaway attempts were pathetic. He is in one of his modes where he is allergic to shooting and going to the net. Just bad.
How was the Russian?
He had 2 assists and was a +1.
Ah okay thanks boxscore so be was good because he had ,2 assist
At some point, you’ll have to come to terms with the fact that goals matter in hockey.
At some point you’ll have to come to terms with the fact there are a lot of frauds
How many are instrumental in cup wins? How many win MVPs? How man were robbed of Conn Smythes so the guy you like could get his name on one?
Montreal fans sure know a lot about frauds these past 25 years. Especially in the GM and trade department.
Ya but how many almost assists did he have?
Don’t worry it’s only October and sid usually elevates his game come January while others take early vacation like the Russian come February March takes a week or 2 off faking a injury. And chubby disappearing just like last year 2 goals In last 26 games.
Don’t worry, it is only October. Montreal is usually out of it by Christmas.
So far most consistent penguin are Jake and letang.
But tonight Jake was garbage
Habs have 2 wins this season and both vs pens thank God habs wont make the playoffs. To face pens as npl said pens are not built to play vs ahl team that plays in a museum
So your night is making sure your friends watch you shower despite not being on a team while you scream Bleu blanc er rouge?
Habs played well tonight. If they keep it up, I can definitely see them sneaking into the playoffs in a few years.
Every game this year they heavily outplayed their opponents averaging 40 shots a game
They will be the Vegas of this year surprise teams
Hahaha
Why you laughing they beat all Star team with that ahl team
Sid continues his fuck awful game…
Put Brassard on his wing because he can’t play with Hornqvist… what a waste. Give Horny to Brassard and let Sid play with whoever is left that makes him wet…
Or trade him
Little extreme… sids been meh but too early to trade him
I would say trade him to Montreal but they only trade away good players, they do not bring good ones back.
Byron with the game winner
Look how happy you are lol. How pathetic that Byron will be your teams leader in April lol
Brutal, sams gonna fuck himself raw here
Letang sucksss
Lazy as fuck change by Crosby…. Jesus get off the ice dude
Or the Russian was not disciplined
Sid waived him the whole way dip shit… the urgency was in the captains waive…. you’d see that if his dick wasn’t consistently in your mouth. Malkin had the better game
Better game In the box
That’s the team leader in production you’re talking about…
If the reversed happens you be burning dog shit on Malkin lawn while sending Sid more dick pics
Lazy russian another slash in offense zone. But Didnt get a call. I guess ref was tired to give him penalties all night
Almost assist for Kessel
Again the Russian
A couple almost assists on that play
Wow mattaa and chubby looked amazing on that shift
Cheaters never prosper sammich… you can put your dink away, it’s gonna be overturned
“It’s obvious”… to everyone but Sam lol
Thank god for that call eh or else media would’ve been all over chubby and mattaa tomorrow. Well that’s what it would happen if you are in a hockey market team but in Pittsburgh bandwagon’s would blame the goalie
It was clear as day tardo… we don’t have to thank anyone for a clear no goal lol
It was an almost goal tho…. mark that down for your PQ pool
Pretty sure Pittsburgh would know what good hockey looks like compared to Montreal. I mean, who watches it more?
Yeah I bet half the TV’s are turned off when team is down 2-0
Bobrovski wants to use the Price deal as the guidepost for his… about 10.5. I say if it’s gonna be comparable he should ask for 14… I mean Price gets that but calls in sick a lot
And Bob is never injured and half the time he is not consistent
Just like tonight he has surrendered 7 goals so far
Now 8 goals
Nice one npl pens not built for ahl team
Thanks, i thought it was pretty funny too
It’s called they skate and don’t take much penalties so lazy overpaid specialists scores to win games. Maybe that’s why pens been average this year because they haven’t been good on pp
Crazy stat, Malkin has more Stanley cups than the entire Montreal roster!
And Conn Smythes
How many almost assists did Hedman have last year? Curious if Letang is on a Norris-level pace.
Damn, almost another assist for Geno
Go back to your FEMA camp
Letang almost another assist
He leads the league in those
The advanced stats in PQ are insane.
Game winner assists and now almost assists? Can’t imagine what the sports page looks like
Who did get one tho?
Sid looked like dog shit that entire PP… Kessel with the beauty shot
Kessel still owns Montreal
What a pass by sid
“What a pass” it was a no brainer 5 footer lol
When’s Sid gonna showup? All that work by Brassard and the play is pissed away…
Pens need pp specialists
Russian being out played by ahl players
How’s the museum npl
Clearly the Pens are not built for minor league hockey
Can’t believe how pens let Vegas have Tatar last year
Scum sully looks mad
And that’s why DeSmith is a back up… guy was lights out vs Vegas but he isn’t gonna give you that night to night
Lazy Russian
Pens need fraud Murray in net asap
Pens need fraud Murray in net
Id rather him in net
9 shots so far…
Nice play by Tanger. Need this version of him.
Trade him
The upside being wed be one player away from never seeing you again
He’s been great this year, I’m glad he’s rebounding after such a poor year last season.
What a fucken play by Letang!
Trade him.
Dam you Tar Tar Sauce!
What defence by Letang…
Yeah 3 on 1. He suckss right
Got to love Saturday night hockey with Bob cole. And now some Don Cherry time
Don Cherry… Canada’s biggest tool.
Second biggest… Sam is, unfortunately, a citizen
Why because he exposes frauds
Letang suckss trade him our Norris calibre D. Since it grows on trees
It was a great play by Malkin and Kessel… unreal pass by Kessel, right in the wheelhouse. All Letang had to do was shoot
Damn, Hope Schultz is ok.
Yeah It was a awkward fall but he didnt fall strong he might be okay not much weight on that leg
Even desmith was a habs fan
You think he remembers the Habs last Stanley Cup when he was 2 years old?
No but he does remember fraud Murray is faking an injury
Well we can be assured we know he’s aware of Price calling in sick tonight lol
Add Brassard to Sids line to get him going and he shoots right at the goalie… wish that was Kessel
Look at all those empty seats… so quiet too… maybe they should pump some crowd noise in over the speakers
That’s what they do at the pens games 90 % crowd is 5 year old kids yet sound is adult sounds.
You’ve never even been to PPG Paints. Nice try, chubby.
Pens have chance to win tonight no fraud Murray
That and there is no one there to cheer on the Habs
Incredible pass
French is a terrible sounding language.
Hard to find fat people in the crowd
I see a lot of empty seats at the museums reminds me of the ppg
That’s not true, we all know how fast you “close” your TV at the first sign of adversity!
Sucks you couldnt go, man.
Hard to find anyone in the crowd really
“Phil Kessel owns Montreal” -Bob Errey
Wow surprised FEMA camp gave you Internet tonight
Florida is a big state, Sam. The hurricane missed and Im not a Panthers fan.
You ever think of becoming a professional comedian?
How did fleury do today ?
Murray retired yet ?
If he did, you’d drool over him. #Nashfor7mil
Lemme guess, he lasted a whole hour and now you’re pretty sure you won’t shitt right for a month?
And D I know you be drooling over Murray starting tonight
But it has been confirmed 11:51am desmith will be in net to avoid 2 loss in a row for Murray vs habs
You ever get tired of talking to yourself?
Of course fraud Murray had no concussion. Got to keep his value as high as possible for that fraud
#1993
Hundred bucks says price isn’t actually sick… he’s just too fucking embarrassed to play for that fucking team anymore LOL
You mean like calling into work sick?
Murray retired yet?
Let’s say he had, could you imagine only 4 years and a little over 100 games winning 2 cups while we will see Price play 1000 without a finals appearance even?
The Johnson thing was controversial as fuck from day one. Some of us were willing to see if a team like Pittsburgh would help him through his deficiencies. Through three we’ve seen no improvement! I’d wanna see the top six without him for a night if this poor coverage continues
Price out with “the flu”… how long before we learn it’s a season ending injury?
Scum sully and pens were so embarrassed losing vs an ahl team. They called julien and begged to put niemi so it will be fair for pens.
And plekanec will make season debut what more pens want in order to beat ahl team
And of course the Habs agreed because they are fucken useless and horribly ran.
He has the Fraud Flu.