Things started slowly for the second time in two games for the Penguins. Kris Letang had a pair of turnovers which led to goals for the Blue Jackets. A two goal deficit is no big deal... when you scores SIX goals a game. The Penguins once again put up a six spot. Every one of their four victories this year has the team scoring six goals. A very impressive start to the year.
Lucky number 6.
— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) October 23, 2022
After scoring six goals for the fourth time in its first five games, Pittsburgh has a total of 26 tallies on the season - the most by a team through five games since 1993-94 (LAK, 28G). pic.twitter.com/lmgWnVf90z
Overall, it was a night for the depth players to step up and give some goal support. Josh Archibald and Brock McGinn both scored their first goals of the year, both likely feeling the pressure of Teddy Blueger’s return. Jan Rutta scored his second goal of the year and the second in as many games. Danton Heinen added his second and third goals of the season while filling in for Jake Guentzel on the top line.
I said it at the time of the signing and I’m going to say it again. Getting Danton Heinen at 1M was a must signing given how the rest of the depth was shaping up. Heinen is a legit third line talent who has the ability to spell players for a short period of time when needed in a top six role. He is a very effective depth player and the Penguins were fortunate to get him back at this price point. It would be hard to do better with 1M in cap space than the Penguins are going to do with Heinen.
While five out of the six goals were from who you would consider depth players, the game winning goal was courtesy of the league’s second leading scorer, Sidney Crosby. Sid continued his marvelous play to start his 18th season and wired home the game winner. The style of the goal might elicit a certain someone to say “I’ve seen that fish before".
THAT'S OUR CAPTAIN 🤩 pic.twitter.com/WMRdqy7hD3
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 23, 2022
Rickard Rakell deserves a shoutout for his work off the draw here. His pressure of Gudbranson forced the unsuccessful clear off the boards and gave an opportunity for Dumoulin to put it right in Crosby’s wheelhouse.
I noticed some more Crosby and Malkin 5v5 time and that will always make me happy. I also remember that Sullivan put Crosby and Malkin together at 5v5 at the beginning of last season and then got away from it and it went away for the most part. They’ve played 3 minutes together at 5v5 this year and two of them were last night. The Penguins had only 11 forwards so it made it more likely. I want it to happen with 12 forwards. Stick with it on a regular basis. Crosby and Malkin should always play a 5v5 shift each period together at the very least. There are too many opportunities. Let’s keep it going. Even when Jake is back. Especially, when Jake is back. Throw him out there with them.
Tristan Jarry is 4-0 on the season. He stopped 29 out of 32 shots. Two of the goals were off Letang’s bad turnovers. Jarry remains sharp and gives the Penguins a chance to win every time out.
Fair or not, every time Johnny Gaudreau had the puck I couldn’t stop thinking what a weird choice he made to lock himself into a franchise like Columbus.
Tomorrow night we get Sidney Crosby vs Connor McDavid. Connor is in his prime, but the 35-year-old Penguins captain should be able to keep up better than any other 35 year has a right to do.
Thanks for reading!
Penguins, blue jackets, sidney crosby, danton heinen, kris letang, tristan jarry, johnny gaudreau, ryan wilson, jake guentzel, connor mcdavid, rickard rakell, jan rutta, josh archibald, brock mcgi