It took a while, but the Penguins finally defeated the Chicago Blackhawks for the first time since 2014. It came at a cost, though. Sidney Crosby left the game and did not return. He appeared to twist his leg and then he took a shot off of his toe. It was after the shot he was shut down for the night. Penguins trainer Chris Stewart went down the bench whispering to the coaches.
This is the biggest story from the game. Pittsburgh is back to how they were a few years ago with the injuries. It reminds me of this god forsaken chart
The Penguins say they will know/reveal more on Monday.
The win was good. The Penguins had to scrape things together to beat a pretty bad Blackhawks team. There’s just something about Chicago that always gives the Penguins trouble regardless of how both teams are.
Calvin de Haan is about to find out denial isn’t just a river in Africa
He can hate the corsis if he wants, but the Blackhawks rank 30th in the league in how many high-danger chances they give up per 60. They were dead last in the league last year. So he isn’t even right about his shot quality argument.
Bryan Rust is now tied for second in goals scored on the time despite only playing in six games this year. He has five goals and that ties him with Sidney Crosby, Jared McCann, and Patric Hornqvist. Here’s his game tying goal from last night
Isn’t it crazy how much easier it is for the forwards to make a play when you have a defenseman who is willing and able to try and make a play? John Marino is the embodiment of why I have heavily criticized the team and how they’ve handled their bottom pairing the last few years. Marino has a very low salary and had a very low acquisition cost. These players exist. Instead, the Penguins wanted players who cost millions and wouldn’t even get their head up to make that play. Good job John Marino. It is refreshing to see.
Jake Guentzel doesn't get too many shootout attempts with Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and previously Kessel ahead of him. He's a solid option to have. I'm always a fan of the forehand backhand five-hole move that leaves a goalie staring at the ceiling with a wtf face.
The power play still sucks. I guess if Sidney Crosby is hurt they can’t put him on the left circle.
I usually advocate for skilled plays whenever possible, but there was a play last night I found comically bad. I think it was Erik Gustafsson who was streaking towards the net with a godo opportunity to shoot and he tried doing the Matt Tkachuk through the legs shot. It wasn’t practical and lowered his ability to score. Be fancy, but be practical. Like Auston Matthews for instance
He tried the lacrosse goal and it probably would have worked. Even though it didn’t go as planned he still didn’t turn down a better opportunity to do it. He rolled with the play and turned his mistake into one of the better assists of the season. That’s how you be fancy.
The Penguins will play the New York Rangers on Tuesday. If they are going to be missing both Crosby and Letang there aren’t many teams they’d rather be playing than the Rangers.
Thanks for reading!
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