Penguins/NHL
Post-Game Report: Pens finally solve Bruins
Jordan Staal scored with 16:35 left in the third period to help the Pittsburgh Penguins beat Boston 3-2 Saturday and avoid another collapse against the Bruins.
Five days after giving up four goals in 3:23 to hand a victory to Boston, the Penguins blew another two-goal lead before recovering to win without Sidney Crosby for just the second time in five games. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 44 shots for his 20th win of the season. Fleury turned aside 20 Bruins shots in the third period.
Tuukka Rask made 33 saves for the Bruins, and Dennis Seidenberg and Michael Ryder scored 13 seconds apart in the second period to erase a 2-0 deficit.
But Staal backhanded a loose puck in front past Rask to make it 3-2.
Chris Kunitz (15) and Pascal Dupuis (9) also scored for the Penguins.
Post-Game Thoughts
*In consecutive games, Jordan Staal stepped up in a big way, netting the game winning goal for the second straight game.
In the win, Staal had a goal and an assist and logged 21:31 of ice time and had 4 shots on goal. He has 2 goals and 3 assists in his last two games.
Staal’s unit of Matt Cooke – Staal and Tyler Kennedy was excellent from the drop of the puck and are starting to hit their stride.
On Chris Kunitz’ 1st period goal at the 10:57 mark, Staal and Cooke made a great play in transition as Cooke drew two defenders to him and sliding the puck over to Staal who quickly found Kunitz driving to the net, giving Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead.
One area that could be evolving in Staal’s game is his playmaking ability. It’s an area that appears to be improving for the Penguins 5th year center.
*One concern for the Penguins of late has been giving up quick goals and that happened again today when the Bruins scored twice in 13 seconds.
*Mark Letestu continues to see limited ice time on the 4th line. He had just 8:21 of ice time and only 7:22 at even strength. Haven’t understood the move along with splitting Letestu and Chris Conner up as the coaching staff for now continues to give Max Talbot third line duties.
*The Penguins brass held organizational meetings last night in Boston…. A lot of buzz going around. Will have more later….enjoy the Steelers game…
