They made it harder than it had to be, but the Penguins were able to come away with two points over the New York Islanders. These divisional games have high value due to the close nature of the standings. Just take a look at how close things are right now
One of these teams will not make the playoffs and there’s a chance two will miss out depending on how the Atlantic Division shakes out. After playing well and not coming away with points against the Rangers it was nice to take two points after playing well against the Islanders. You can’t take any of them for granted.
It was a solid effort by the entire team. Let’s talk about some of the good things
Kris Letang on the power play. I’ve had some recent criticism of his play in this area. Last night he made some adjustments and the team benefited from it. It wasn’t anything special. It was just a simple shot from up top on the point.
That’s all it takes when you have guys like Jake Guentzel and Patric Hornqvist in front. They love tipping pucks and have no problem screening the goalie. It’s useless unless there are shot attempts. On this sequence you can see Letang take two simple shots. Even when they don’t go in the team will more times than not win the rebound battle and the penalty killers have to scramble. The Penguins were able to move the rebound from down low to up high so that Kris Letang could reload. The second shot was another simple play and it allowed Guentzel to make a play. Wonderful simplicity and effectiveness.
Later in the game you saw the Islanders penalty kill respecting Letang’s shooting lane. This allowed Phil Kessel some more space to do some great Phil things
The shot was just amazing. The shot doesn’t happen if the top penalty killer is lower than he was. Those simple wrist shots paid off on this particular sequence. Penalty killers are better now than they’ve ever been. Every little bit of ice counts and if you can draw the opponent just a little bit from where they want to be you allow high end players like Phil Kessel to make plays.
Riley Sheahan has equaled last year’s goal total and it isn’t even Christmas time. He scored his second goal of the year on an Islanders gaffe, but he made no mistake about where he put the puck. It was expertly placed in the corner.
Carl Hagelin had an assist on the play. Sheahan from Hagelin, it’s a Christmas miracle.
Matt Hunwick scored the game winning goal in overtime. It was a nice reward for the quality of play he has brought the last two games. In the last two games Hunwick has been on the ice for 45 Pittsburgh shot attempts at 5v5 and only 21 against. That’s clicking at 68.1%. Not too shabby. The team will need guys to step up in Schultz’s absence and against NYR/NYI Hunwick did. He had a rough start to the season both on the ice and with his concussion. We’ll see if he keeps tracking in the right direction.
Pittsburgh’s next game will be a great matchup. They will take on one of the most fun teams in the league, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Should be a great watch.
Thanks for reading!