ON PAPER this looked like it would possibly be a classic. The chances of either (or both) making it to the Stanley Cup Finals were being discussed. However, it turned out to be an old fashioned butt kicking administered by the Penguins who won their 10th consecutive game at home by a score of 5-1. In fact it could have been a throwback to Penguins games of old as they scored their 5 goals on only 23 shots.
Marc-Andre Fleury became the first NHL goaltender to win 40 games this season, stopping 29 of 30 shots. I think the maturation process is in high gear as Fleury can consistently play lights out particularly with the support he's getting from his teammates in the defensive zone.
James Neal had four assists and Eygeni Malkin scored two goals to give him 45 for the season and he pulled out to a 10-point lead in the scoring race over the Flyers' Claude Giroux with 9 games remaining in the regular season. After each of Malkin's goals the crowd chanted loudly, "MVP. MVP." That's exactly what Malkin should be at the end of the season.
The Penguins again pulled to within one point of the Rangers with the two teams to meet in Pittsburgh on April 5th.
Pascal Dupuis and Matt Cook both scored adding to their career high season totals of 22 and 17, respectively and Chris Kuntiz added the fifth marker for the Pens. Dupuis is also hot scoring 10 points (7 goals, 3 assists) in the past 8games. Remarkably the line of Malkin, Neal and Kunitz have score 94 points in their last 24 home games.
Right now the Pens are hitting on all cylinders and Sidney Crosby has not scored a goal since returning and Jordan Staal has cooled off. All that means is both are due to start producing again before the end of the season and into the playoffs when they will be most needed. It's all good for the Pens. Hopefully, they can avoid the injury bug that kept them contained somewhat early in the season.
Speaking about the other teams in the NHL Dupuis quipped after the game, "They're maybe a little scared of us."And they should rightly be.
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