Penguins improve to 5-1 on the season
Marc Andre Fleury made 30 saves and Tyler Kennedy added two goals as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-1 Monday night at Scotiabank Place.
Fleury off to his best start of his career is now a perfect a 5-0 on the season as the Penguins kept pace with the New York Rangers in the Atlantic division to improve to 5-1 on the year.
Bill Guerin (2) and Jordan Staal (3) also scored for Pittsburgh who are 3-0 on a four game road trip that ends Wednesday night in Carolina.
Pittsburgh got a few bounces that went their way but for the second consecutive game, Pittsburgh played a complete game. They were the more aggressive team, won key battles and outworked the Senators.
The role players for Pittsburgh came up big as Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby were held pointless.
Pittsburgh is now 4-0 on the road this season and have scored 14 goals in their last three games.
Post-Game Buzz
Last year Jordan Staal didn’t score

his first goal until the Penguins 12th game of the season. He now has three goals in three games and has points in four of six games to open the season.
Staal is gaining confidence playing in more of a scoring line role, getting plenty of looks with Evgeni Malkin.
Tyler Kennedy who is tied with Sidney Crosby for a team leading 4 goals continued his hot streak against Ottawa. Kennedy now has 7 goals in 8 career games against Ottawa. Kennedy led the Penguins with 6 shots on goal tonight.
*Sidney Crosby had an off night at the face-off circle. He was 6-for-13.
*Michael Rupp is much more effective at center. He was very noticable on the fore-check tonight. I thought he had his best game in a Penguins uniform so far.
*Every skater had over 10 minutes of ice time expect Eric Godard who only saw 4:20 of ice time. Pittsburgh is basically playing with 11 forwards.
*Assistant coach Tony Granato has made his presence felt on the penalty kill. He has the Penguins playing more aggressive and he has not been shy about using Sidney Crosby on the PK. Every time Crosby is out there, he’s a threat.
*Through six games, Jay McKee leads the NHL with 20 blocked shots. Mark Eaton in is the top five with 15 blocked shots.
*The Penguins are 23-4-4 since Dan Bylsma took over as coach.
*Chris Bourque and Martin Skoula were scratched for the Penguins.
Box Score
Scoring Summary
1st Period
OTT: 15:59 Milan Michalek
Assists: Jonathan Cheechoo, Jason Spezza
PIT: 16:38 Bill Guerin
Assists: Chris Kunitz, Mark Eaton
2ND PERIOD
PIT: 6:16 Tyler Kennedy
Assists: Jay McKee, Craig Adams
PIT: 18:02 Tyler Kennedy
Assists: Matt Cooke, Craig Adams
3RD PERIOD
PIT: 9:54 Jordan Staal
TIOPS Three Stars
1. Marc Andre Fleury – Stopped 30 of 31 shots to start the season 5-0.
2. Tyler Kennedy – Primed for a 20 goal season, Kennedy added goals 3, 4, against Ottawa.
3. Jordan Staal – Scored his third goal in three games and was 9-for-15 on face-offs.
***Next Game: @ Carolina 10/14/09***