The battle of the black and gold

By: MF,

Can the Pittsburgh Penguins make it seven in a row? It will be more of a challenging game for the Penguins as they face off against the Boston Bruins.

The Penguins are averaging 5.8 goals per game during their six-game winning streak. The team has been an offensive powerhouse that hasn’t been stopped. They lead the Metropolitan Division in every offensive category. This is in large part due to all the lines getting on the scoreboard. Every shift is a threat and that makes it harder for the opponent to shut them down.

Leading the charge among both the Penguins and the National Hockey League (NHL) is Sidney Crosby. He is riding an eight-game scoring streak that totals 13 points (seven goals and seven assists), which is the longest active point streak in the NHL. Crosby also leads the NHL with 21 goals in 23 games. This feat is the most goals an NHL player has scored in their first 23 games over the last 20 years. His playing has been unbelievable and reflects the unreal play that the Penguins have been producing.

In net, the Penguins will have Matt Murray for the fourth straight game. He is 9-0-1 in his last 10 home games. The Bruins will turn to Tuukka Rask, he is 4-1-2 in his last seven starts.

Every single player has been contributing and this team has been on fire. It will be an interesting game as the Penguins have been known to struggling when playing the Bruins. The Bruins have won five straight games against the Penguins, but hopefully, this proves to be different. They are also eighth overall in goals against and third on the penalty kill. Both these will be tested as the Penguins have been finding the back of the net often. The Bruins are coming off a hard fought 2-1 win in overtime against the Montreal Canadiens. The low-scoring affair shows how the Bruins are able to shut down offensive powerhouses. The Penguins will look to change that.

Will the offensive powerhouse of the Penguins prevail or will the Bruins’ defense finally shut them down? Time to find out. Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards

Sheary - Crosby - Hornqvist

Hagelin - Malkin - Kessel

Kunitz - Bonino - Rust

Wilson - Cullen - Kuhnhackl 

Defense

Dumoulin - Letang

Maatta - Daley

Cole - Schultz

Murray in the net!

Play by Play
PENS 4 Bruins 3 OT

Overtime
THE PENS GET THE 4-3 OVERTIME WIN OVER THE BRUINS! A GREAT WORKING EFFORT BY THE PENS AND THEY KEEP WITH THINGS THROUGHOUT! THIS TEAM IS SOMETHING SPECIAL! THAT MAKES IT SEVEN STRAIGHT FOR THE PENS! 

3:37 - RUST SCORES! Schultz makes a quick outlet pass up the ice to Malkin as he enters the zone with Rust ahead of him! Malkin slides the puck to Rust who puts it over Rask! 4-3 Pens

4:22 - Murray has had to make two early saves to start this overtime. The Pens have yet to have any offensive zone time.

5:00 - Nothing like three-on-three overtime hockey! The Pens need to finish things up quickly and make it seven straight! Lets Go Pens!


3rd Period
0:00 - We are headed to overtime as this game is tied up 3-3.

0:54 - Sheary gets a breakaway, but Rask makes an unreal save with the back of his pad that goes off the goal post and back in between Rask's legs. Once again, Rask comes up big for the Bruins, along with some luck.

2:10 - Time is whining down for both teams.

3:49 - Chara and Hornqvist battle in front of Rask, but Hornqvist seems to thrive in that type of situation.

4:57 - The Pens not looking their usual third period self right now. They need to pressure the Bruins more.

6:40 - Pastrnak scores. Murray and Dumoulin with a misplay of the puck behind the net, which results in Pastrnak getting the puck and putting it in the wide open net. 3-3 tie game

10:58 - SHEARY SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! Dumoulin makes a heads up play to put the puck on a silver platter for Sheary in front of the goal! Sheary directs the puck past Rask! 3-2 Pens

12:39 - A perfect power play opportunity for the Pens as Marchand is ticketed with a cross-checking penalty.

15:36 - Rask with another huge save, this time on Malkin.

16:54 - Daley rifles a shot from the point that saved by Rask up high. He falls down to glove up Wilson's backhanded shot of the loose puck. Rask is shaken up on the play, but appears to be ok and stays in.

20:00 - Time for the third period! The Pens have been the best in the third and they need to keep that going! Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - The second period horn sounds and this game is tied 2-2.

0:20 - Bruins with last minute surge.

1:55 - Murray has been tested a lot in this game. He has appeared soild, aside from that first goal. Bruins are out shooting the Pens 30-23.

2:47 - Crosby with the extra effort to force a Carlo off the puck on the forecheck. He outlets a pass to Sheary and Rask makes the save. Hornqvist takes an extra poke, but to no avail.

4:00 - That will be the end of the power play for the Pens and things are still tied up 2-2.

6:00 - Grzelcyk to the box for slashing and the Pens are headed onto the power play once again.

6:28 - Malkin is set free. He gets a breakaway chance, but is robbed by Rask!

7:20 - Backes with a hard hit on Letang and follows it up with a punch to the face. The crowd is not pleased with the no call.

8:28 - Malkin takes a trip to the box for hooking and that will send the Bruins onto the power play.

10:13 - BONINO SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! Daley passes up to Bonino who flies into the offensive zone, pushing back the Bruins! Bonino snaps a shot through traffic past the glove of Rask! 2-2 tie game

11:52 - Now Crosby takes a high stick to the face from Marchand. Marchand will head to the box and the Pens get a power play chance. Crosby's face has had a rough few games of hockey lately.

12:31 - Crosby takes a puck up high, but looks to be alright. The crowd was a bit worried there.

13:20 - Krejci scores. Murray turns over the puck. Pastrnak outlets a pass to Schaller in front. He bounces off his body and finds Krejci in front. Krejci kicks the puck to his stick and slips it past Murray's outstretched pad. 2-1 Bruins

13:49 - Pens getting their legs moving. Malkin's line had an incredible shift, but Rask was up to the task this time.

17:24 - More of a defensively start for the second period. Just waiting for the Pens to get their legs going then they are unstoppable.

20:00 - We are back for the second period! The Pens need to get to their game and start pressuring the Bruins more! Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00 - 20 minutes are in the books now and this one is tied up 1-1.

0:48 - The Pens are back to full strength!

1:29 - Hornqvist is set free and now Bruins with a regular power play for 41 seconds.

1:34 - Cole and Bonino get back to make a stick save as Murray is caught out of his net. Then soon after Murray denies Marchand. Unreal effort by the penalty kill.

2:48 - Bad luck for the Pens as Letang will join Hornqvist for interference. Bruins with a five-on-three power play for 1:19.

3:25 - Bruins power play for 1:57.

3:29 - Three seconds of four-on-four hockey as Hornqvist is set off for boarding on Marchand.

5:25 - Now a power play goes to the Pens as Hayes is called for boarding on Dumoulin.

7:11 - SCHULTZ SCORES! Crosby slides a perfect pass across the ice to Schultz as Hornqvist ties up Nash and Chara! Schultz rips a shot past Rask! 1-1 tie game

9:12 - Marchand scores. Slow change and miscommunication for the Pens leads to Marchand getting time and space. He rifles one past Murray. 1-0 Bruins

10:33 - Malkin with a spin-o-rama shot that is stopped by Rask.

12:27 - Quite a few turnovers by the Pens. Murray getting tested in the first.

14:11 - Successful penalty kill for the Pens and Murray has been solid to start. He is being tested more in this game then his last game (Coyotes).

16:11 - Penalty kill time for the Pens as Kunitz is ticketed with the first penalty of the game for tripping. Bruins bring out their power play.

16:43 - Murray has to fight off an shot. Then the Bruins crash the net, but Murray is able to cover up the puck.

20:00 - Can the Pens make it seven? They just have to show the Bruins what everyone is marveling at! Game time! Lets Go Pens!

Coyotes caught roaming in Pittsburgh

Good evening Pittsburgh Penguins fans!

I know it has been a few days, I have been very busy at the arena and the days have overlapped with Penguin games. Now I am back and ready to take in a Penguins home game!

The Penguins are back in PPG Paints Arena to take on the Arizona Coyotes after a dominating effort in Florida. The trip started in Sunrise, Florida where the Penguins took care of the business with a 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers. They went on to finish the trip in Tampa where they came out with the 4-3 win over the struggling Tampa Bay Lightning.

The game against the Lightning started off a bit boring, but it didn’t stay that way for long. It was a pure joy to watch the game from the press box and get a chance to see the plays develop. The Lightning ended up with a 3-2 lead going into the third period, however, the Penguins thrive in that situation. The Penguins came out and netted three power-play goals to take the 4-3 lead. It was an unreal effort of offensive dominance by the Penguins and a complete undoing of the Lightning. However, to be fair to the Lightning, no one has seemed to figure out how to stop the Penguins when they get going.

Now the Penguins are looking to extend their winning streak to six games. Even with the high-scoring efforts, they have shown on the road, their home numbers are just as impressive. Six Penguin players have current home-game point streaks going:

·         Evgeni Malkin – 11 games with 19 points

·         Sidney Crosby – Four games with six points

·         Phil Kessel – three games with six points

·         Ian Cole – three games with six points

·         Justin Schultz – three games with five points

·         Kris Letang – three games with three points

**  Matt Murray has a nine game home unbeaten streak (8-0-1)

That is an impressive list, which also shows that the Penguins are getting production from others that are not their star players. Though the star players are playing like stars. Since, December 12, 2016, Crosby has 97 points in 74 games, while second play Patrick Kane has only 89 points in 82 games. Crosby is outdoing everyone in the league, even though he missed some games to start the season. On defense, Kris Letang has 71 points in 69 games during that same span, which makes him third among NHL defensemen. Brent Burns leads the charge with 77 points in 82 games. Letang is proving to be a Norris Trophy nominee for this season, nothing new to Penguin fans. He is the only defensemen in the league to be averaging a point per game.

Tonight’s game will be a hard-fought game for the Coyotes. They are ranked 27^th in the league, offensively, only averaging 2.22 goals per game. The Penguins just need to stick to their game and keep up the offensive domination to edge out a win tonight. They must also remember to focus on smart defensive plays and limit turnovers that will be key to keeping the Coyotes frustrated. Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards

Sheary - Crosby - Hornqvist

Hagelin - Malkin - Kessel

Kunitz - Bonino - Rust

Wilson - Cullen - Kuhnhackl 

Defense

Dumoulin - Letang

Maatta - Daley

Cole - Schultz

Murray in the net! 

Play by Play
PENS 7 Coyotes 0

3rd Period
0:00 - That will be the end of this game, officially, as the Pens come out with a dominating 7-0 win over the Coyotes! A special team doing some special things! No team has been able to answer or match what the Pens are doing right now! 

1:14 - Murray chant has erupted at PPG Paints Arena.

1:59 - Some missed clear attempts by the Pens. Doan fires two shots from the blue line that are pushed aside by Murray.

3:01 - Not much to update you one...Pens still controlling the puck. Not much happening. Just marvel at what this team can do. Special time right now.

7:34 - SCHULTZ SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! Schultz rifles a shot from one knee at the blue line that goes off a Coyote stick past Domingue! 7-0 Pens

8:25 - Top power play unit back on the ice for the Pens this time around. No mercy after that hit.

9:03 - Hanzel with another hard hit, this time on Malkin. Dirty hit. He is hunting down the stars of the Pens. Hanzel will now sit for boarding. Pens to the power play.

11:12 - Pens with a solid penalty kill.

11:13 - Murray lays down to stretch out his glove to rob Doan in front!

13:12 - Different look for the Pens as Rust skates to the box for tripping and the Coyotes get a chance on the power play.

15:04 - Letang is hit hard by Hanzel. He has some difficultly getting to the bench.

15:59 - That will bring an end to the power play for the Pens. Sullivan opted to play the second power play unit for the majority of their power play. Showing respect to the struggling Coyotes.

17:59 - Ekman-Larsson to the box for tripping and the Pens get a power play.

18:40 - KESSEL SCORES! Malkin receives the puck as he crosses the blue line and leaves it for Kessel on the wing! Kessel slaps a rocket shot past the glove Domingue! 6-0 Pens

20:00 - Third period time! The Pens don't need to change anything, just keep up the good work! Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - Second period horn sounds and the Pens have extended their lead to 5-0!

0:54 - Murray gloves up the puck. He hasn't seen a whole lot of action, but has been solid when needed.

2:47 - Ekman-Larsson is set free.

4:40 - Pens still on the power play for two minutes as Ekman-Larsson received a double minor.

4:47 - CROSBY SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! Malkin's shot is goes off the goal post and it bounces up in the air! Crosby waits for the puck to drop below the crossbar and bats the puck into the net! 5-0 Pens

5:38 - Well the Pens will get another crack at the power play as Ekman-Larsson will sit for delay of game and unsportsmanlike conduct. It will be a long four minute power play.

6:17 - Coyotes are able to kill off the Pens' power play.

7:40 - Martinook with a shorthanded chance that is denied by Murray.

8:17 - Power play time for the Pens as a hooking penalty is handed out to Chychrun.

9:05 - Pens showing that every line is a threat. Coyotes have no answer.

11:29 - Goalie chance for the Coyotes as Domingue will come in to replace Smith.

11:30 - RUST SCORES! Rust carries the puck around the offensive zone and goes untouched to the center! He fires one that is redirected by the stick of Stone past Smith! 4-0 Pens

11:48 - Coyotes having a meltdown defensively right now and Smith is on the losing end of that.

13:02 - DALEY SCORES! Another giveaway by the defense of the Coyotes and this time Stone coughs up the puck to Daley! Daley snipes one past Smith! 3-0 Pens

15:27 - That giveaway by the Coyotes was by their star defenseman, not a rookie making that mistake. Smith has holding down the fort as the Pens pepper the net, then he is rewarded with that turnover.

15:30 - BONINO SCORES! Ekman-Larsson turns the puck right over to Bonino at the side of the net! Bonino makes them pay! Pens lead 2-0

16:03 - The penalty will come to an end and the Pens had a few good looks. Smith is getting a workout.

18:03 - Doan to the box for slashing and the Pens get a power play. Crosby receives a cheer from the crowd as he steps onto the ice.

18:14 - Crosby is back on the bench!

19:59 - Crosby is not back on the ice to start the second period.

20:00 - We are back for the second period! Just need more of the first period effort by the Pens and the Coyotes will have no chance! Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00 - That will be the end of the first period as the Pens hold the 1-0 lead!

0:03 - Crosby goes down on the ice and gets up slowly, he goes off to the locker room. Hanzel caught Crosby up high with the stick.

2:22 - Nothing, but the Pens right now. I wonder if they will continue this in the second period. Hasn't been their best period, but time will tell.

5:24 - Scoreboard is only telling a little of the story. Pure domination by the Pens, but only one goal to show for it.

6:56 - Daley is set free. All is equal again...well player wise.

7:13 - White's penalty ends and the Coyotes have a 18 second power play.

8:56 - Letang mishandles the puck at the blue line and Rieder picks up the puck for a breakaway. Murray denies him with an outstretched pad, but Daley hooks him up on the play. 4-on-4 hockey for 1:41.

9:13 - Now the Pens are getting a chance on the power play as White heads to the box for hooking.

11:20 - WILSON SCORES! Wilson goes across the blue line up to the side boards and he shots just as Fehr screens Smith! He blows past the glove of Smith! 1-0 Pens

14:32 - That will be the end of the power play for the Coyotes. Very aggressive penalty kill by the Pens.

15:41 - Aggressive penalty kill. Letang fires a shot off the goal post.

16:32 - Daley will be ticketed with a high-sticking minor. The Coyotes head onto the power play.

18:41 - The Malkin line peppers the net early with a ton of shots. Putting everything on net and looking for second chances. 

20:00 - The puck has dropped at PPG Paints Arena! The Pens look to keep the streak going with a win over the Coyotes tonight! Lets Go Pens! 

Penguins shut down Senators' campaign

Tonight the Penguins (15-7-3) take on the Ottawa Senators (15-8-2) at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh!

Pregame notes

• ·         Marc-Andre Fleury will be in net for the third consecutive time. In that span, he has stopped 61 of 66 shots. 
• ·         Craig Anderson will return to the Senators lineup after taking a leave of absent after his wife was diagnosed with cancer.
• ·         The Senators come into tonight’s game 5-1-1 in their past seven games. They are 6-3-0 on the road. 
• ·         The Penguins have won their past two games and will look to extend that streak.

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards

Sheary - Crosby - Hornqvist

Hagelin - Malkin - Kessel

Kunitz - Bonino - Rust

Wilson - Cullen - Fehr

Defense

Dumoulin - Letang

Maatta - Daley

Cole - Schultz 

Fleury in the net! 

Play by Play
PENS 8 Senators 5

3rd Period
0:00 - THE PENS GET THE 8-5 WIN OVER THE SENS! What a crazy comeback by the Pens and they took a commanding lead! Rust working hard for his hat-trick! A goal scorers favorite type of game! 

1:00 - What a game...the Pens goal horn has gotten a workout tonight. Goals for days.

2:27 - The Sens did challenge the play as offsides. It's ruled a good goal.

2:28 - RUST SCORES AND MAKE THAT A HAT-TRICK FOR HIM! Rust gets to the air dumped puck and puts it into the empty net! 8-5 Pens

2:30 - Condon is out and Sens have an extra attacker.

3:05 - Cole breaks his stick right at the blue line and the Sens get the puck. Cole is unable to grab a stick and ends up using his body to check two Sens into the boards. Pens are able to clear.

7:23 - We will have another goalie change as Anderson is replaced by Condon.

7:24 - RUST SCORES! Rust gets a breakaway and is slashed on the play! He gets a penalty shot chance! He goes backhand, forehand, and back to his backhand to put it past Anderson! 7-5 Pens

9:26 - Kessel is set free and solid penalty kill by the Pens.

10:19 - Hoffman rifles one that rings off the goal post.

11:26 - Now Kessel will go off for holding. Huge penalty kill ahead for the Pens, they need to kill this one.

13:43 - Phaneuf scores on the power play. The puck is bouncing in front of the net and Pahneuf is able to backhand the puck past Murray. 6-5 Pens

15:12 - Cullen gets ticketed with a tripping penalty. Missed call by the referee as he didn't touch the guy.

15:55 - That will be the end of the Pens power play.

17:55 - Power play for the Pens as Phaneuf gets a high sticking penalty.

18:55 - MALKIN SCORES! Kessel finds Malkin who runs the gauntlet trough center! He is forced to the side of the net, but gets the puck around Borowiecki and puts a shot on net! He beats Anderson! 6-4 Pens

20:00 - Time for the third period! Pens need to stay focused and play smart, along with limiting the Sens time and space! Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - That will be all for the third period and what a crazy period it was! The Pens come out with the 5-4 lead!

3:00 - The power play comes to an end as Pageau gets a shorthanded, breakaway chance at the end of the time. Murray with the huge pad save to deny him.

5:00 - Letang takes a stick up high and then is driving into the boards by Pyatt. Pyatt will take a seat for the high stick. Pens head onto the power play.

5:23 - SCHULTZ SCORES! Malkin pushes the Sens back into their own zone and he finds Schultz driving center! Schultz rips one past the blocker of Anderson! 5-4 Pens

5:47 - KESSEL SCORES! Kessel gets his arch going in the neutral zone to build speed and drive center into the offensive zone! Kessel creates time/space and snaps one past Anderson! 4-4 tie game

6:43 - The first line of the Pens gets some offensive zone time.

8:03 - Murray with a big save as Wideman slides a pass to Pageau. Murray shuts the door with a pad save.

10:30 - Sens' power play comes to an end. Solid penalty kill for the Pens.

11:32 - CULLEN SCORES A SHORTHANDED GOAL! Cullen gets the lead pass and beats Karlsson for a one-on-one breakaway! He doesn't miss! 4-3 Sens

12:30 - Another Pens penalty as Schultz sits for interference.

12:51 - Sullivan pulls Fleury and replaces him with Murray, looking for a spark. Pens not playing the best in front of Fleury, especially on the penalty kills.

12:52 - Hoffman scores. Hoffman with a sniper of a shot that beats Fleury. 4-2 Sens

13:20 - Daley is off to the sin bin for high sticking. Sens back onto the power play. Huge kill ahead for the Pens.

14:29 - Great tape to tape passing by the Pens and they are controlling the puck. The Sens have not been able to get past the neutral zone for about three/four minutes.

17:23 - Crosby with some amazing stick work to juke Anderson and Crosby goes for the wraparound. Karlsson just gets his stick in the way to prevent the play. The puck is loose in the blue paint and the referee blows the play dead even with the puck still loose. What a play by Crosby!

19:00 - Stone scores on the power play. The puck is up in the air and Stone bats the puck over Fleury into the net. The referee rules it a no goal as a high stick play. They review the play and turnover the call. 3-2 Sens

19:27 - Hornqvist takes a slashing penalty, which gives the Sens their first power play of the game.

20:00 - We are back for the second period! The Pens need to keep up the pressure, play discipline, and control the tempo! Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00 - The horn sounds on the first period and things are tied 2-2.

2:53 - Power play for the Pens comes to an end and this game is still tied 2-2.

4:48 - Malkin wins the faceoff and the puck gets to Letang at the point. He rips a shot off the goal post!

4:53 - Crosby with a crazy amount of puck control in the offensive zone as he skates around the zone and into the slot. He draws a penalty as Borowiecki is off to the box for slashing. Pens to the power play.

6:16 - Karlsson scores. The Sens start to get some offensive cycles going and Karlsson gets some time/space at the half boards. He fires a wicked shot that just goes under the left pad of Fleury. 2-2 tie game

7:11 - Brassard is set free and the Sens kill off the Pens' power play.

9:11 - The Pens get the first power play of the game as Brassard sits for goalie interference.

9:21 - Pageau knocks down the puck in front of the net and looks to stuff the puck into the net, but he is denied by the left pad of Fleury!

11:15 - CROSBY SCORES! Crosby picks up the loose puck in the neutral zone and fends off Kelly as he enters the zone! He flies down the wing and snaps one over the blocker shoulder of Anderson! 2-1 Pens

11:41 - The last goal was challenge by the Pens citing offsides. It's reviewed and the goal stands.

11:42 - Turris scores. Dzingel feeds a perfect pass to Turris, who gets behind the Pens defense. He puts one five-hole on Fleury. 1-1 tie game

12:13 - Fleury stands up to make a solid save on a two-on-one play. The Sens get some offensive zone time.

14:26 - Good start for the Pens and they are using their speed to control the puck.

18:15 - RUST SCORES! Malkin receives a pass from Letang in the center and draws multiple Sens! He finds the passing lane to Rust on the wing side! Rust slides one through the five-hole of Anderson! 1-0 Pens

20:00 - Puck drop at PPG Paints Arena! Time for the Pens to take it to the Sens! Lets Go Pens!  

Can the Pittsburgh Stars outshine the Dallas Stars?

By: MF,

Another back-to-back game scenario for the Pittsburgh Penguins who have been struggling lately to put together consistent wins. They are 4-5-1 in their past 10 games after going 9-2-2 to start the season. They will be facing off against another struggling team, the Dallas Stars who have been having trouble winning on the road. The Stars are 3-6-4 when away from home and 0-2-2 in their past four road games.

As for the Stars, they will look for a solid game from their netminder, Antti Niemi. He is 5-2-3 in 13 games, while also earning a 3.05 goals-against average (GAA) and .906 save percentage (SVP). The Stars will also turn to Tyler Seguin who leads them with 24 points. He has an assist in each of his past two games. A struggling team can be the most deadly of teams to face. The Penguins need to stay on their toes during this one.

Now the Penguins will also be dangerous as they look to rebound from their past game performances. Tonight, Marc-Andre Fleury will have hold down the fort on the backend. Though Fleury is 0-4-2 in their past six games, look for both him and the team to bring their best. Even though the team has struggled both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have been putting up points on the scoresheet. Crosby has five goals and nine assists in his past seven games. He leads the National Hockey League (NHL) with 15 goals in 17 games. While Malkin has seven points in his past six and is tied with Crosby with 22 points for the team lead.

Special teams will be key for both teams and the Penguins need to get their power play up to par. They have an offensive powerhouse on paper, but they have not been producing on the man-advantage. The Penguins power play is 15 for 78 (19.2%). This is unacceptable for this team and they need to get to work right away. Also, they all need to stay out of the penalty box. The Penguins have the tenancy to get things moving in their direction only to end things when they get a penalty against them. When their penalty killing unit comes out, it stops all the forwards progress and keeps the stars on the bench. This benefits the opposing team and needs to be fixed. On the penalty kill, the Penguins are 65 for 83 (78.3%).

Tonight, the Penguins need to focus on playing a consistent and disciplined game against the Stars. This will allow them to rebound and get things back on track. They need to come out with speed and put the Stars on their heels, they cannot be caught off guard again. Lets Go Pens!   

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards

Sheary - Crosby - Hornqvist

Hagelin - Malkin - Rust

Wilson - Bonino - Kessel

Kuhnhackl - Cullen - Fehr

Defense

Maatta - Letang

Dumoulin - Daley

Cole - Schultz 

Fleury in the net!

Play by Play
PENS 6 Stars 2

3rd Period
0:00 - THE PENS GET THE 6-2 WIN OVER THE STARS! A HUGE PART OF THEIR WIN WAS THE AMAZING EFFORT OF FLEURY! HE WAS A FORCE IN TONIGHT'S GAME WITH 33 SAVES! GREAT WORK GUYS! 

1:29 - Even with the score at 6-2, we can't forget the efforts by Fleury earlier in the period to keep the Pens in the lead. The Stars pressured and he was a brick wall. 32 saves, so far, for the Flower.

2:05 - BONINO SCORES! Wilson directs the puck onto the net and Niemi makes the first save, but the puck bounces around in front! Bonino gets a stick on it first to put it behind Niemi! 6-2 Pens

2:46 - FEHR SCORES AN EMPTY NETTER! 5-2 Pens

3:00 - Stars get an extra attacker as they empty their net.

3:05 - Great reward for the efforts of Fleury to keep the Pens in the lead. He has been unreal in the net tonight.

3:38 - SHEARY SCORES! Crosby comes down the wing and makes a pass through the center and two Star defensemen to Sheary! Sheary directs the puck into the open net! 4-2 Pens

5:07 - Kessel with a quick turn shot that is kicked out by Niemi.

7:08 - Fleury has been a fort for the Pens in this one. It would be nice if the Pens could get another goal to give their goalie a little breathing room.

9:30 - Fleury with save after save as the puck bounces around in front of the net. Cole and Schultz step up to help their netminder by boxing out Star players searching for the loose puck. Fleury finally is able to cover for the whistle.

10:25 - Cullen and Kuhnhackl cross paths entering the zone. Kuhnhackl goes wide and fires a shot that is stopped by Niemi. The Stars are able to clear the rebound.

13:03 - Crosby kicks the puck up to his stick and around Johns to give himself a one-on-one with Niemi. He snaps one on net and Niemi is able to get a piece of it. Unreal play by the Pens Captain.

15:06 - The Stars survive the Pens power play. Solid job by the Stars to block shots.

17:06 - Power play chance for the Pens as Oleksiak sits for hooking.

18:42 - Seguin comes flying down the wing with Maatta right with him. Fleury gets out on the angle to deny him. Then Fleury stretches out to the far post to deny Eakin's wraparound chance.

20:00 - The guys are back on the ice for the third period! The Pens need to limit the Stars time and space by keeping them pinned in their own zone! Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - That will be the end of the second period as the Pens take the 3-2 lead!

0:21.5 - CROSBY SCORES! Sheary makes a pass behind the net to Crosby at the side! Crosby tries to bank a shot off Niemi that bounces back out! Crosby takes another swing at the puck in the air and the bank shot works! 3-2 Pens

1:18 - Spezza with a sneaky shot that is stopped by Fleury and cleared by Cullen.

3:17 - Some offensive pressure by the first line of the Pens. Crosby goes back door to Schultz who jumps into the play. He just can't get a clean stick on the puck as the Stars break up the play.

4:05 - All Stars right now, the Pens are just chasing the puck in their own zone.

6:22 - Stars have been throwing a bunch of pucks on net and Fleury has looked sharped. The Pens need to limit these chances and start generating their own.

8:39 - Seguin scores on the power play. Seguin snaps a shot from a bad angle, almost parallel with the goal line, that goes over the blocker shoulder of Fleury. He had no chance on that one. 2-2 tie game

9:07 - Seguin's shot goes off a few bodies and trickles to the side of the net. Jamie Benn gets a stick on the puck, but whiffs on an open net chance.

10:25 - Fehr takes an interference penalty and the Stars get a chance to tie things up on the power play.

10:47 - A huge amount of credit needs to be given to Fleury. He shut down those numerous odd man rushes the Stars had to start this period. This allowed the Pens to take the lead after that power play goal instead of just tying things or closing a big goal gap.

11:13 - That will be the end to Jordie Benn's penalty.

12:16 - The Pens still have a regular power play for 1:03.

12:17 - HORNQVIST SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! Malkin finds Hornqvist with some space in the slot! He takes time to switch to the backhand for a blind shot backwards! Niemi opens the five hole and the puck goes through! 2-1 Pens

13:13 - Hockey Gods seems to be looking out for the Pens as Jordie Benn gets a delay of game penalty. Five-on-three power play for 1:48. The Pens need to capitalize.

13:25 - Malkin is tripped up at the point by Seguin and the Pens get a power play opportunity.

13:57 - Sheary tries to put in a wrap around chance, but he ends up on his backhand and is unable to handle the puck.

14:44 - Pens need to clamp down on these chances the stars are getting. Way too much open space for the Stars.

15:17 - Hamhuis jumps up into the play and receives the puck while driving down center all alone. Fleury out to challenge and ends up with the puck.

15:40 - Stars get a two-on-one chance. Ritchie makes a cross-ice pass through the middle to Roussel who directs the puck wide.

16:37 - A man is caught up the ice for the Pens, which allows for a four-on-one chance for the Stars. Fleury squares up to Ritchie's shot and kicks it out of harms way.

20:00 - We are back for the second period of play! The Pens need to keep pressuring the Stars and create havoc in front of Niemi! Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00 - First period horn sounds as this one is tied at 1-1.

1:14 - Daley blocks a shot in front and goes down in some discomfort. However, he looks to be no worse for wear. Don't know if you have heard, but hockey players are pretty tough guys.

2:33 - Hornqvist takes a few shots right in front of the net, but Niemi holds strong to keep the puck out of the net.

3:16 - Solid penalty kill for the Pens. They kept the Stars from really setting up their power play unit.

5:16 - Now the Stars will get a chance at a full two minute power play as Kuhnhackl is sent to the sin bin for tripping.

5:34 - Kuhnhackl chips one over the net!

8:35 - Shore scores. Johns fires a hard shot from the point that goes off a few bodies. It looks to go off the skate of Shore in front and behind Fleury. 1-1 tie game

10:13 - Letang is released from the box and the Pens get a rush into the offensive zone. Stars end up getting the puck out of danger.

10:22 - Short nine second power play for the Stars.

11:13 - COLE SCORES! The Pens go forward on a neutral zone face-off and Kessel battles to win the puck! He finds Cole after entering the zone! Cole fires a rising shot that blows past the blocker of Niemi! 1-0 Pens

12:13 - So much for that power play for the Pens as penalties still plague them. Letang is called for hooking, lazy play by him. Four-on-four hockey for 1:51.

12:22 - Now Eaves skates over to the box as the Pens head back onto the power play.

13:57 - Another Pens chance denied by Niemi. Solid start for the Stars goalie.

15:08 - Successful penalty kill for the Stars, thanks to their goaltender Niemi.

16:56 - Niemi comes flying across the goal line to rob Malkin on the doorstep!

17:08 - The first power play of the game will go to the Pens as Jamie Benn sits for hooking.

17:37 - Big pad save by Fleury on Eakin's shot down low.

20:00 - We are back for another night of Pens hockey! The Pens need to play a consistent and disciplined game to get back on track! Lets Go Pens!