The two oldest teams in the league got together on Friday night and one of those teams looked a lot older than the other. The Pittsburgh Penguins bounced back from their opening night loss and dished out one to their long time rivals in a 4-0 shutout victory in Washington DC last night. Pittsburgh outshot the Capitals 35-19 and looked like the better team most of the night with few exceptions. It was the kind of game they were hoping to have after Tuesday’s disappointing loss.
Leading the way for the Penguins was their iconic duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Sidney Crosby finished with two goals while Evgeni Malkin finished with a goal and three assists.
After toiling down in the twenties in xGF% in the opener Sidney Crosby ramped things up a notch and found himself at 80.96 last night. His goals were the product of a power play which looked as functional as it has. His power play goals came came in the form of #SidDownLow. If you’re keeping track at home Sid is on pace for 123 goals this season.
Evgeni Malkin had a jump in his step all night long and opened the scoring in the second period. The goal was a nice finish from 71. The lead up included Erik Karlsson stepping up and keeping the puck in even though it was Alex Ovechkin barreling in on him. This was Erik Karlsson’s first point as a Pittsburgh Penguin
GENO MACHINO 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HzwaC4fRHY
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 14, 2023
Erik Karlsson is so fun because on any given play something super positive can happen, it doesn’t come without mistakes but it is very entertaining. It can come from simple pinches like on the first goal and it can also come in the form of breaking out the power play by himself end to end with a great scoring chance in front of the net by the end of it. When the players gel with Karlsson and get used to his vision and assertiveness with the puck there are going to be some special goals scored throughout the year.
The Malkin line is looking solid and he and his linemates (Smith, Rakell) combined for an xGF% of 82.20 against the Capitals. Reilly Smith looked dangerous and was rewarded with his first goal as a Penguin. Much like the team needing to gel with Karlsson, when Smith gels with Malkin it appears it will be a very fruitful partnership. Reilly Smith’s transition offense was touted when he was acquired and his first goal was just that.
Welcome to the Penguins, Reilly Smith 🐧 pic.twitter.com/oyeGiiOim0
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 14, 2023
Tristan Jarry has been solid to start the year. He earned the 19 save shutout last night and throughout both games he looked in control and locked in. It is obviously a long season, but things have started on a very positive note for Jarry who has made a lot of good saves and all the ones he should. Including stopping Alexander Ovechkin on a breakaway.
File this save under: Things You Love to See 💛 pic.twitter.com/f2JgPa8vgC
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 14, 2023
It was a great job by the Penguins to put the Chicago loss behind them and lay it on the Capitals in their home opener. There’s no time for rest as the Penguins will be hosting the Calgary Flames this evening from PPG Paints Arena.
Thanks for reading!