Penguins/NHL
Pre-season Game 2: Toronto 4 – Pittsburgh 3
Pittsburgh _ The Penguins jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, getting first period goals from Matt Cooke and Evgeni Malkin.
The Penguins controlled the play for the first twenty minutes of the game but a 5 minute major penalty by Craig Adams in the second period turned the momentum to the Leafs who went on to score 4 second period goals.
Brooks Orpik added a third period goal for the Penguins. The Leafs ended up scoring four goals on just 17 shots against the Penguins. Brent Johnson started the game and was replaced by Marc Andre Fleury in the second period after giving up three goals.
* A disappointment on the night was the play of defenseman Ben Lovejoy. He had two ill-advised penalties and was not consistent in his own end.
Through the first week of camp, Lovejoy has fallen behind defensemen,
Nate Guenin and Deryk Engelland for the No. 7 spot. From seeing the majority of the practices, two pre-season games and the Black and Gold Scrimmage, you can even make an argument for Chris Lee over Ben Lovejoy at this point..
*Guenin played well his in own end Friday night. Where he had a good night was stepping up in the neutral zone. His stick was in the passing lanes…… In Dan Bylsma’s system that’s what he’s going to have to do consistently.
Lee has good offensive instincts and that was on display Friday night. I still don’t see him as a serious contender right now though.
Engelland did not play Friday night. Pittsburgh really likes his toughness. They want to see him play more consistent in the D-zone.
As things stand right now, Guenin is the early front runner to win the No. 7 defenseman spot with Engelland right behind him.
The Penguins have four pre-season games remaining and both players will get plenty of looks.
