Star players step up in OT win over Panthers

Sidney Crosby, Goal, Two Assists, 9 shots, 14 attempts.

Evgeni Malkin, Game Winning Overtime Goal, one assist, 7 Attempts.

Phil Kessel, third period Goal

Marc Andre Fleury, 31 saves on 33 shots.

Three straight wins against the Senators, Maple Leafs and Panthers should not change the tune around a flawed Penguins hockey club but Evgeni Malkin, Marc Andre Fleury being the best players on the ice the last couple games and Sidney Crosby joining them tonight has led to the Penguins 0-3 start to the season not becoming a 1-5 type panic start to the year.

On the Penguins Stars Tonight……..

Marc Andre Fleury is the story of the Penguins season through six games. His positioning has been so strong, the only way to beat him is through deflections or making a perfect shot. Was the case Thursday night vs Ottawa and again tonight against the Panthers. 1.85 GAA, .937 Save percentage through his first six starts, including a .941 save percentage at even strength.

— Playing all three zones, the last three games have been some of the best from Malkin in a while now. When he’s engaged physically he’s near unstoppable on the ice and that’s been a bright spot in the last couple games.

— Sidney Crosby was in attack mode tonight. Most importantly he was attacking through the middle of the ice and lifting the puck on his shots. As the criticism was starting to mount in recent days, he was a determined player tonight and had his legs.

Getting to 3-3 will now take the pressure pretty much completely off the coaching staff for the next little while, though, this little winning streak might be nothing more than just giving Pittsburgh a false sense of security that everything is just fine in Penguin land.To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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