Crosby 'Sizzles', Penguins Win Second Straight

On an evening that featured one other milestone for the Pittsburgh Penguins, their greatest participant – for the second game in a row – got here via within the clutch.

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Captain Sidney Crosby scored two objectives for the second sport in a row, main the Penguins to victory over the Montreal Canadiens, 3-1, and securing a win for defenseman Kris Letang’s 1,100th game.

Ahead Blake Lizotte, taking part in in his second sport in a Penguins’ uniform after lacking the group’s first 10 video games with a concussion, added an empty-net aim on the finish to seal the deal. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves on 26 Montreal pictures.

Listed below are some ideas and observations from Saturday’s sport:

– Crosby’s first snipe was attractive, and it is good to see the captain getting sizzling over these final couple of video games. However Rickard Rakell deserves lots of credit score for making that play occur.

The puck was dumped behind and round Montreal goaltender Sam Montembault, and Rakell hustled to the nook and gained a puck battle alongside the boards. He then circled and fired a go between the legs of Alex Newhook and onto Crosby’s stick.

Simply an excellent occasion of hustle and robust board play by Rakell. He wins lots of puck battles and has a capability to create “one thing out of nothing,” as head coach Mike Sullivan has alluded to. That acceleration and pace coaching he did over the summer season actually paid off right here as effectively.

Crosby had excessive reward for his teammate as effectively.

“‘Raks’ is absolutely robust on the puck,” Crosby mentioned. “On that play, he strips the man, and I feel he is carried out an incredible job of discovering these gentle spots to get pictures off and use his shot that means, however then additionally, he is been actually robust on pucks, holding onto it, and making performs. We’re doing job of studying off of one another and producing some beauty due to it.”

I really feel like I am repeating myself, however Rakell has been very, superb for the Penguins this season.

– So far as Crosby is anxious, I am undecided there’s a lot else to say at this level. He has seven factors in his final three video games. He factored in on the seven objectives previous to Lizotte’s empty-netter, and he scored their final 4 prior.

He is only a man on a mission proper now. He is been spectacular and is making his gradual begin seem like a distant reminiscence. And it is no coincidence that the Penguins’ different two greatest offensive gamers this season – Evgeni Malkin and Rakell – have been by his facet to assist get him going.

I used to be skeptical about whether or not or not loading the highest line was going to work. However, man, has it labored to this point. It is actually not sustainable, particularly in opposition to the league’s higher groups.

However, boy, is it enjoyable to look at them dominate video games proper now.

– General, I’ve favored Valtteri Puustinen’s sport up thus far. However I did discover tonight that he was getting overmatched bodily and misplaced some key puck battles within the defensive zone.

He obtained some possibilities within the offensive zone, so it will not be an excessive amount of to learn into. Simply an statement.

– Although the Penguins managed play for essentially the most half, there was a component of sloppiness on this sport from each side, particularly within the impartial zone.

Unsure if the ice was dangerous or if performs simply weren’t connecting. However there have been only a ton of mishandled passes, gamers falling to the ice, and pucks being on edge.

– Ryan Graves is taking part in with a ton of confidence proper now. He is very engaged.

He was everywhere in the offensive zone tonight. He was skating with function and making performs to create possibilities. He was fairly robust on the breakout. He made just a few good performs to interrupt up passes and reduce off angles within the defensive zone as effectively.

Actually robust sport from him. I like what I am seeing from him this season, and Graves taking part in effectively is a very good factor for the Penguins. If Matt Grzelcyk continues to battle, I can see him getting elevated within the lineup quickly. He is earned at the very least a shot at these minutes.

– One other couple of gamers who had robust video games – regardless of failing to indicate up on the scoresheet – have been Michael Bunting and Anthony Beauvillier.

Bunting is engaged bodily and being the scrappy, disruptive ahead that folk are used to seeing. He is attending to the soiled areas and inflicting havoc in entrance of the web, which is what he is doing when he is at his greatest. He even obtained a wholesome spear in a very dangerous spot from Arbor Xhekaj in entrance of the web after poking at Montembault for a rebound.

A aim is unquestionably on the horizon for him quickly. Sullivan mentioned the identical factor in his presser.

As for Beauvillier? He was robust on the forecheck all night time, pressured just a few offensive zone turnovers, and made a spectacular stick play early within the third interval to rob ___ of a scoring probability.

There was a large open web to Nedeljkovic’s proper, and ___ swung for the open cage. Beauvillier swatted on the similar time and obtained the puck out of hazard, mid-air, earlier than ___ might make a play on it.

Great things from each of them.

– As a complete, the Penguins have performed a lot tighter defensive video games in these final two. They surrendered some good possibilities close to the top of each, however in any other case, they shut down Anaheim and Montreal for many of the 60 minutes in every contest.

It is value noting that the Penguins have beat two of the league’s bottom-feeders. They’ve struggled in opposition to the league’s higher groups to this point this season.

They’ve a tricky divisional schedule this week, taking part in the New York Islanders (who, though unimpressive this season, have given the Penguins matches) Tuesday earlier than a back-to-back with the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals on Thursday and Friday.

Pittsburgh must discover a means to make use of among the momentum they’ve gained and play accountable defensive hockey in opposition to these groups – as a result of they are not going to overlook if given “straightforward offense” alternatives.