Player from the Pittsburgh Penguins have begun their exhibition games with their respective teams. Evgeni Malkin, Matt Murray, Olli Maatta, Patric Hornqvist, and Carl Hagelin were all in game action. Here is what went down.
Evgeni Malkin
Geno was on Russia's second line with Vladimir Tarasenko. Unlike his usage with the Pittsburgh Penguins he found his role with Russia to be more of the defensive variety.
Malkin handled 11 of Russia's 31 D-zone faceoffs. No teammate had more than 6 draws in that zone. Geno finished 5-11 there, 10-19 overall.
— Bill West (@BWest_Trib) September 8, 2016
In Pittsburgh Malkin is normally used in a very offensive role. He also isn't much on the faceoff front. Him finishing above 50% is a good day.
Malkin finished the day with two shots on goal and no points.
Matt Murray
It was a low shot affair between North America and Europe. Both teams combined for only 44 shots. Matt Murray faced 23 shots and saved every single one of them. A good start for the Stanley Cup champion. He did nothing to dispel the notion that he is indeed their #1 netminder.
Olli Maatta, Patric Hornqvist, and Carl Hagelin
Finland was able to outlast Sweden with an overtime victory. Finland won the game 3-2 and it was because of Olli Maatta. It was Pittsburgh's defenseman who scored the game winning goal on a nice wrist shot from the slot. Here it is
Former Penguin Jussi Jokinen made a really nice patient and slick pass to free up Maatta on that break.
Carl Hagelin had four minutes in penalties and Patric Hornqvist only had one shot. Here is what the game looked like for all players
Landeskog and Rakell look good defensively, Lindell and Haula and Korpikoski/Komarov not so much. pic.twitter.com/o6QMBuxhQL
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) September 8, 2016
Maatta was a high event player who was at the center of everything for Finland. Hagelin didn't have much of an impact with his fourth line minutes. Hornqvist was only slightly better with his second line minutes.
Tonight Sidney Crosby will take on Mike Sullivan and Team USA at 7PM on ESPNU
Thanks for reading!