Three Takeaways From Penguins Thrilling Shootout Win Over Sharks

On Saturday night time, when the Pittsburgh Penguins desperately wanted a win, they allowed the San Jose Sharks to come back again from a 3-0 deficit solely to win with an Evgeni Malkin purpose within the fifth spherical of the shootout.

Regardless of the additional effort wanted to win, captain Sidney Crosby scored his 599th purpose, whereas one in every of Pittsburgh’s high prospects, Owen Selecting, made his NHL debut and earned an help.

Although Alex Nedeljkovic secured the 2 factors, he completed the night with a .897 SV%, a statistic the Penguins should enhance to get again in and stay within the wild card race.

Let’s focus on Saturday night time’s sport, lets?

Penguins By no means Make Issues Simple

The Sharks are one of many youngest and most inexperienced NHL groups, however one way or the other, they scrapped again into Saturday night time’s contest towards the veteran Penguins after falling behind 3-0.

Whether or not Pittsburgh let up on its assault or underestimated its opponent, this was the kind of sport by which the Penguins ought to have stomped out the Sharks however needed to go to a shootout to win.

In the end, this newest contest towards the Sharks summarizes the primary twenty video games of the season because it’s all about constructing leads, blowing leads, and being unable to recuperate from sluggish begins.

Everybody will have fun the victory, Crosby’s 599th purpose, and the spotlight reel performs of shootouts, nevertheless it ought to have by no means gotten to that time, regardless of how scorching Mackenzie Blackwood was in reduction.

Thrilling Debut for Pickering

It was fairly per week for Pickering, who scored his first skilled hockey purpose on Wednesday, solely to earn a call-up for Friday’s contest in Columbus.

Although he did not play in that sport, the rookie took his lap on PPG Paints Enviornment ice on Saturday night time in a sport constructed up a contest between former first-overall picks Crosby and Macklin Celebrini.

As massive as these marquee names are, Pickering, a former first-round choose himself, had a stable debut, choosing up an help in 13:40 of ice time.

After spending 4 seasons within the WHL, Pickering is taking part in high minutes within the AHL. He earned the chance to make his NHL debut and did not disappoint.

Whether or not he sticks round will depend upon accidents, however he proved in a restricted alternative that he’ll be an NHL common quickly.

It is the Small Victories That Matter

As talked about, the Penguins ought to have dismantled the Sharks however wanted 5 rounds within the shootout to safe a win.

It wasn’t good, and small victories throughout the sport needs to be optimistic constructing blocks for future video games.

Related: Sidney Crosby Career Goal Tracker: How Close Is The Penguins Captain To 600 Goals

Crosby netted his 599th purpose, Nedeljkovic made three stops within the shootout, and Jesse Pulpujarvi and Drew O’Connor acquired factors. Malkin netted the shootout winner after having a purpose referred to as again earlier.

Total, Pittsburgh wanted a win towards a Western Convention opponent, as they’ve solely crushed the Anaheim Geese this season. The shootout victory offers the Penguins just a little momentum for the homestand, which options some robust opponents within the coming days.

Penguins & Sharks Trivia Solutions

How did you rating in our Game Day Trivia quiz? Listed below are the solutions.

1. Kris Letang

2. Martin Straka

3. Kevin Stevens

4. Tom Barrasso

5. Jake Guentzel

6. Evgeni Malkin

7. Johan Hedberg

8. Mario Lemieux

9. Matt Nieto

10. Bryan Rust, Evan Rodigues