Rumor has it that the Pittsburgh Penguins hadn't beat the Philadelphia Flyers for some time. That changed on Thursday evening with Pittsburgh's 4-3 victory over their interstate rival.
Special teams was the theme of the night as the teams combined for five power play goals (including all three of Philadelphia's goals).
I warned of Claude Giroux's power play prowess yesterday and he did not disappoint on that front as he earned two power play points.
That however was not enough for a Philadelphia victory because Pittsburgh leaned on some star power, namely Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel.
Sidney Crosby scored a ridiculous sharp angle roof job of a goal on Steve Mason to tie the game at two.
Crosby ties the game pic.twitter.com/3psqEjP6p7
— Stephanie (@myregularface) January 22, 2016
Sidney Crosby finished with two points on the evening. It is great to see Crosby back to doing cool things every game. It is a lot more fun that way.
Phil Kessel had been in a bit of a goal scoring drought only scoring one goal since Christmas but that changed with his two goal performance last night. He was given two nicely wrapped back door goals by Crosby and new Penguins addition Carl Hagelin. Phil seemed very relieved to finally get back on the board.
Kessel goal celebration @bailey_stu pic.twitter.com/eSMAQSgVqr
— Stephanie (@myregularface) January 22, 2016
Trevor Daley had a power play goal and that is the fourth goal that he has scored since being traded to the Penguins. That is 50% of Rob Scuderi's career total. Speaking of Scuderi this actually happened
Rob Scuderi is playing wing. I REPEAT. Rob Scuderi IS PLAYING WING.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) January 22, 2016
Rob Scuderi fourth line winger for the Chicago Blackhawks is not something I thought I would ever write, but it happened. Scuderi finished the evening with 3:30 seconds of ice time.
Strangely enough Kris Letang finished the evening with no points even with the team scoring four goals. Given his incredibly torrid offensive pace he's been on that is a little surprising he was held without a point. He was however on the ice for 31 shot attempts for and only 13 against. A very solid effort.
In the last 25 games Pittsburgh is the second best shot attempt generation team at even-strength in the NHL. This is a very good thing.
Unblocked shot rates. Team badge shows the most recent 25 games, unmarked end shows the same a fortnight ago. pic.twitter.com/jGwo6PnmjF
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) January 22, 2016
They've come a long way in a little bit over a month.
Pittsburgh trails New Jersey by two points in the wild card race with two games in hand.
Thanks for reading!