Post Game Analysis

Pittsburgh 4 – Ottawa 3

7 out of the last 8 regular season games between the Penguins and Senators have been 1 goal games

Tyler Kennedy scored his first goal in 29 games.

The Penguins were 0-7 on the power play

Kris Letang led the Penguins in ice time 24:40

Rob Scuderi scored his first goal in 123 games

Inside Analysis

The loss of Sergei Gonchar was not only evident on the power play and but most importantly on the breakout. The Penguins need to have at least two puck moving defensemen in the lineup to play with Crosby and Malkin and today they only had one; Kris Letang.

Tyler Kennedy continues his strong play. He was battling in the corners, getting to loose pucks and today he showed some offensive upside. It’s going to be difficult for the Penguins to keep him on the fourth line when Sykora returns. Pascal Dupuis will have to hold him off from moving up to the third line.

Ruslan Fedotenko played well today. He was effective on the fore check and he’s not scared to shoot the puck. I thought he skated well especially considering the ice surface

Jeff Taffe struggled today. It is only one game but Ray Shero is going to be very open minded about upgrading his fourth line. The Penguins don’t have the depth that they did last season.

Sidney Crosby is looking to shoot more this season and one instance on the power play in the first period caught my eye. Crosby had the puck at the left point and he just let it rip. In past seasons he would have by-passed that shot.

Jarkko Ruutu got a lot of ice time and played 14:36

Daryl Sydor struggled moving the puck at times. From what I’ve seen in camp I just can’t see the Penguins making him a regular, even with the injuries they have. Mark Eaton needs to pick up his play. He has been sluggish since camp opened.

I would expect the Senators to be even more aggressive on the fore-check tomorrow

Jordan Staal showed some great power moves in the offensive zone where he would take the D wide and drive to the net

Evgeni Malkin on the penalty kill gives the Penguins an offensive threat and keeps the opposition on their heels. The Tampa Bay Lightning were exceptional during their Stanley Cup run in 2004 at putting Marty St. Louis and Vinny LeCaivier on the penalty kill

Pittsburgh remains in the market for a right handed shot on the power play according to a source. Most notably in the slot.

Marc Andre Fleury played well making 32 saves on 35 shots. It is a good start for him

More to come