When you play the Sabres you have the opportunity to pad your stats this year. The Pittsburgh Penguins padded their stats last night.
The Penguins puck possession at even strength was 69.81%, even score-effects couldn't save Buffalo. Every player was at or above the 50% barrier (except for one). Malkin, Kunitz, Letang, and Maatta were all over 80% on the night. Paul Martin was an awesome 68.18% but that was actually considered below average on this night. Tim Murray has his club right where he wants them to be. He'll never win it but he does deserve GM of the year award for seeing the bigger picture instead of the smaller one.
Four players had a multi-point night: Kunitz (2G,1A), Malkin (1G,2A), Hornqvist (1G,1A), Crosby (0G,3A).
Kris Letang, Christian Ehrhoff, Pascal Dupuis, and Blake Comeau each added one point.
The Penguins amazing power play went 3 for 5 against the Sabres. This will be one of the few remaining games where they will be able to actually raise their power play percentage above the 40% mark. They are now 18-43 on the year , good for 41.9%. They have scored a power play goal in eight out of the ten games this year. They have scored multiple power play goals in seven out of the 10 games this year.
I saw Kris Letang shooting more on the power play last night and that will only make things even more dangerous. It resulted directly in Chris Kunit's power play goal.
The power play isn't the only special teams unit firing on all cylinders. Since Crosby's tripping penalty against Dallas on October 16 the Penguins have killed off 26 consecutive penalties. They are now ninth overall in the league with a success rate of 85.9%.
This was the fifth time in the last eight games where the Sabres were shutout. Marc-Andre Fleury joins Roberto Luongo, Niklas Svedberg, Jonathan Quick, and Jonathan Berner in the Sabre shutout club this year. It was Fleury's second shutout in as many games.
For some this two game sample size is a sign of a Vezina goalie. For most it is understood that it is part of the ups and downs of a long regular season
The roller coaster chart is nothing new for the Penguins #1 goaltender
It is no wonder that he is a polarizing goaltender. His supporters cling to the highs while his detractors cling to the lows. At the end of the day he is an average goalie. A very volatile average goalie.
This was the last game action for Olli Maatta before he goes under the knife. Best wishes to him during his recovery. He'll be back in no time and as good as ever.
With his void in the lineup there will be some opportunity for some players to prove themselves. Simon Despres will more than likely receive an elevated role, what will he do with it? Will the Penguins get Harrington some action? How will Robert Bortuzzo come back from his injury? Will Rob Scuderi continue to dress for every game? These are questions that we'll eventually get the answers to in the next four weeks.
The Maatta-less Penguins will take their show on the road to face Minnesota on Tuesday night.
*Rob Scuderi was the lone Penguins below 50%, he was at 44.44%.*
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