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The Penguins rookies dropped the decision 4-3 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. The Penguins found themselves trailing for most of the 3rd period by a goal and managed to scrape out a goal with 19.1 seconds left on the power play to tie the game.

Ultimately the Penguins lost in the shootout but it was nice to see when the chips were down the Penguins players on the ice at the end of the game were able to cash in. Tom Kuhnhackl took a crisp accurate pass from Derrick Pouliout, took two strides, and made no mistake about it. Kuhnhackl's blast not only eluded the Toronto netminder but it also eluded the goal cage as his slap shot was literally blasted through the netting and out ala Shea Weber 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Here are the highlights from last night's game:



The parts of the game I was able to watch I again left impressed with Scott Harrington. Harrington continues to make all the simple plays 100% of the time. Harrington scored his second goal of the tournament when he scored the Penguins 1st goal on the power play. The play was as simple as it gets, hard low snap shot towards the traffic by the goal cage.

My personal preference with defenseman is that they make all the simple plays all the time and provide the forward unit with the best opportunity to gain the offensive zone with possession. Harrington does exactly that and its why I think it will be interesting to see how he does when he gets matched up against somebody like Crosby or Malkin in training camp. Will the world class talent be a mismatch for the young Harrington or will he be able to keep making the simple plays?

Brian Dumoulin to no surprise looked like one of the most polished players on the ice. Dumoulin has had the benefit of playing an entire professional season in WB/S and it showed. Dumoulin had a presence on the ice and was able to skate assertively with the puck to make all the necessary plays on the ice.

I think Dumoulin is one of the most interesting young guys to watch going into camp because I think he has one of the best shots at taking the #6 defense spot from Engelland or Bortuzzo. I think Dumoulin will get some time in the NHL this season, it is just a matter how much time he is going to get. So far so good in regards to his quality of play.

Tom Kuhnhackl's game tying blast was obviously his highlight of the night but I think it was his attention to the defensive side of things that most caught my eye. Once again Kuhnhackl made multiple quality plays while defending and has consistently shown a desire to get back defensively. I was pretty down on Kuhnhackl after viewing him last October, but if he is able to fill out his frame he might be a useful bottom 6 guy for the Penguins in the future, something that they just don't have in the system right now.

Olli Maatta is going to be a good hockey player in the NHL. He has size, skating ability, puck skills, and hockey smarts. It won't take him long to be groomed for NHL action.

Derrick Pouliot did not do anything to draw scorn from me but he also did not stand out to me either during the sample size I was able to watch. To his credit he was out on the ice in the final minute and was responsible for the primary assist on the game tying goal by Kuhnhackl.

Those were the observations I took away from last night's rookie game. Today the Penguins close out the tournament against the Chicago Blackhawks at 2PM. I would be lying to you if I said that was a top priority today. The Buffalo Bills will be embarking on another playoff-less season and for some reason I am a glutton for punishment in that regard.

Thanks for reading!

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