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On Saturday, the Penguins got here out flying within the first interval, scoring an influence play objective and dominating possession.
However two bounces for Toronto early within the second interval turned that every one on its head.
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The Maple Leafs defeated the Penguins, 4-2, in a night stuffed with bizarre puck bounces and momentum swings. Lower than a minute into the second interval, the Penguins had a questionable line change, largely as a result of the puck hit a ref. Michael Bunting had simply stepped onto the ice and tried to seek out Matt Grzelcyk on the frenzy, however the cross did not join, and the Leafs capitalized on the ensuing two-on-none.
On Toronto’s second objective, the puck took a fortunate bounce off the boards behind the Penguins’ web, it landed proper on the stick of Matthew Knies in entrance of the objective, and he did not miss. This was instantly after Sidney Crosby deflected a shot off the objective publish on the different finish of the ice.
And after that, the Leafs managed a lot of the momentum. The Penguins had a little bit of a push halfway by means of the third interval, when Rickard Rakell sniped a puck previous Toronto netminder Anthony Stolarz off a pleasant help from Evgeni Malkin, who earned profession level #1,300 on the play.
Listed below are some observations from tonight’s sport:
– The Penguins did not play practically as properly within the ultimate two frames as they did within the first. However, man, was the puck luck in opposition to them tonight.
That is a kind of losses that may’t actually be chalked as much as a scarcity of effort or probabilities. In a common sense, the Penguins had been the higher workforce for a lot of this sport, they usually carried a lot of the play within the first two durations. However the bounces merely did not go their means, and the Leafs capitalized on their profitable objective off a mistake within the third interval.
They need to be fairly proud of their efficiency and carry that into Montreal, however, merely put: The Penguins, as in seasons previous, want to complete extra once they’re dominating a sport. They had been in complete management through the first interval, they usually solely had one objective to point out for it.
This is not one thing that is going to repair itself, and even when the facility play seems lots higher, the Penguins cannot depend on that totally. They want to have the ability to capitalize on their probabilities at five-on-five.
– Talking of the facility play, there have been some attractiveness and a few not-so-good seems. However, by and huge, this energy play seems miles higher than it did final season.
Two straight video games with an influence play objective. If they will preserve this going, will probably be an enormous asset for them.
– Regardless of Bryan Rust making a return to the lineup tonight, Rutger McGroarty stayed in and slotted on Lars Eller’s proper aspect.
I believed he performed a reasonably strong sport, particularly within the first interval. He made just a few good defensive performs along with his stick and gained some puck battles within the defensive zone, and he was sturdy on the forecheck early on.
His efficiency pale a bit down the stretch, and he gave the impression to be injured within the again half of the third interval. He didn’t see one other shift after that, so hopefully, he will probably be good to go. No replace was given on his standing.
I would not be shocked to see a little bit of a ahead rotation with him and, not less than, Jesse Puljujarvi, who was scratched tonight. However I feel he performed properly sufficient to earn just a few extra seems over the following few video games. We’ll see what occurs on that entrance.
– One ahead I might keep watch over because the ahead carousel begins is Drew O’Connor. He did rating a objective in opposition to Detroit when enjoying with Malkin, however he was relegated to the third line upon Rust’s return.
He’s somebody who could very properly have a bit of a fireplace lit below him to remain within the lineup. With the depth of bottom-six forwards that the Penguins have, he must make himself stand out. Up so far, I do not suppose he is accomplished a lot to face out above different guys like Anthony Beauvillier, Cody Glass, McGroarty, and Puljujarvi.
He wants to remain on high of his sport. In any other case, he could finally discover himself on the skin wanting in.
Related: Malkin Hits Milestone, Penguins Defeat Red Wings, 6-3
– Cody Glass’s work in all three zones continues to impress me. I do not know what extra I can say at this level, however this man has been the most effective a part of what seems like a reasonably efficient fourth line for the Penguins. And his work on the penalty kill is excellent.
– Though this was his weakest effort up to now, Beauvillier is nice at profitable puck battles. He saved just a few pucks alive within the offensive zone when the primary line was pressuring. He is been an excellent forechecker, and he makes use of his velocity to drive the web and go to soiled areas.
Total, I actually like what I see so removed from him. If I am being sincere, it type of regarded like he was initially going to be the odd man out when Rust returned.
For now, he is performed himself out of that place. He has to proceed making an impression, nevertheless, to stay within the lineup.
– I wish to take a second to speak concerning the Penguins’ defensemen tonight.
Nearly everybody had an excellent begin to this sport. Ryan Graves made a pleasant stick play within the d-zone to cease a rush within the first interval, and he was really fairly good all through the night.
Erik Karlsson and Grzelcyk regarded good early on, and Letang confirmed some classic type on his energy play rocket.
However after the primary interval, the protection corps type of fell aside once more. Marcus Pettersson seems a large number and made a nasty learn on Mitch Marner’s profitable objective, inflicting him to get beat and Marner to hurry in and beat goaltender Joel Blomqvist, who was making his second NHL begin in as many video games.
All three of Karlsson, Grzelcyk, and Letang had some forgettable moments within the later levels of the sport as properly.
I do suppose this group of defensemen has potential to be higher than final season’s. I’ve largely appreciated Grzelcyk’s sport subsequent to Letang, and Pettersson has been rock strong for 2 consecutive seasons.
However the Penguins are going to want extra dedication from them defensively.
– The second line is cooking. They handed up some alternatives to shoot on a powerful five-on-five shift halfway by means of the second interval, however they had been the most effective line all through the night time.
Malkin’s play on Rakell’s objective was good. He threaded his means between the circles within the offensive zone and laid a smooth drop cross proper on the stick of Rakell, who bought all of his shot and secured Malkin’s 1,three hundredth level.
These two regarded nice collectively within the preseason. I nonetheless wish to see a bit bit extra from Michael Bunting, however in any other case, that line appears to have picked up proper the place it left off final season. And Malkin, specifically, has some additional bounce in his step.
Rakell netting his first objective early on this season – and never in December, like final season – may very well be an enormous booster for him going ahead.
Related: Top-Six Juggled Around as Penguins Fall To Rangers 6-0 In Home Opener
– Blomqvist was a bit out of place on Marner’s objective, however in any other case, he was superb on this sport. I do count on Tristan Jarry to get the web once more on Monday in Montreal, however – then once more – I additionally anticipated him to get the web tonight.
Alex Nedeljkovic traveled with the workforce and skated with them Saturday morning, so he is doubtless not far off from a return. This begin could have simply been to guarantee that Blomqvist bought one other one in earlier than being despatched again.
However based mostly on what we have seen, I feel he is earned one other look. He confronted an excellent Toronto workforce tonight and made some well timed saves in huge moments. He continues to point out veteran-level poise regardless of his NHL profession being in its infancy.
I am very impressed by him to this point, and if he does get one other begin – and carry out properly – he’ll pressure some very fascinating choices from Penguins’ administration.
