Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Geno and Phil too slick for the Oilers

October 25, 2017, 4:32 PM ET [141 Comments]
Ryan Wilson
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The big Sidney Crosby vs. Connor McDavid matchup was no Red Wings and Sabres, but it was pretty fun. Both teams provided some exciting moments while both goaltenders played at a high level keeping the actual goal totals down. It was Pittsburgh that was too slick at the end with Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin hooking up on yet another overtime winner.



The goal was setup by Milan Lucic missing the net and then not being able to catch up to Phil Kessel on the backcheck. He makes the same amount of money as Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle.

Connor McDavid got in on the action tying the game late with a great wrist shot over Matt Murray's glove



It doesn't take much for you to get into trouble with McDavid. What looked like a harmless breakout quickly turned potent because of Patrick Maroon's area pass that McDavid skated into. Another example of how quick McDavid can be:




That's not Rob Scuderi. That is one of the better skating defenseman in the league. This is similar to how Sid used to dust defenders left and right coming out of the lockout.

McDavid fared well on the possession front



Sid is in the area but he more or less broke even.

Matt Murray was the first star of the game and you get that honor when you go .967 on the evening while making some saves you probably shouldn't have


murray

Last night was Riley Sheahan's debut as a Penguin and he earned an assist along with Ryan Reaves on Ian Cole's excellent shot from the point. It was Sheahan's screen that impeded Cam Talbot's ability to see the puck.



Overall the third line of Sheahan, Patric Hornqvist, and Carl Hagelin didn't really make a dent at even-strength as you can see above. I'm not sure what to do with Hagelin right now. He and Ryan Reaves have the same offensive stat line so far this year. They both have a goal and an assist. Reaves gets limited minutes and plays on the fourth line. Hagelin has had a lot of time with Evgeni Malkin. Something has to give. He doesn't have to put up 2015-16 HBK numbers, but it would be nice to not get 2016-17 either.

Patric Hornqvist was guilty of another dirty elbow. There will be no disciplinary action other than the minor penalty assessed. It's almost like players don't change when nobody provides extrinsic motivation to do so.

Justin Schultz was hit in the head and he is now in concussion protocol. He is doubtful for tonight. He only played around five minutes of last night's contest. Kris Letang also left the game briefly, but returned. That's a relief. He was given the morning skate off for maintenance and is expected to be in the lineup tonight.

With Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid fresh on everybody's mind lets not forget about the original Penguins vs Oilers superstar matchup




Sorry, Wayne. Five goals five different ways all day every day.

Pittsburgh fans will be treated with watching one of the more entertaining teams in the league again tomorrow as the Winnipeg Jets come to town. They might not have a Connor McDavid, but I think they have more fun players to watch than Edmonton does.

Thanks for reading!
Join the Discussion: » 141 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Ryan Wilson
» Penguins earn victory on Jake night
» A salute to Jake Guentzel
» Sid puts on show as Avs dig out of hole
» A dud in Dallas
» My thoughts on Dubas' thoughts