Season Opener...WOW...Pens 4, Flyers 0
I think the score says it all.
No really it was a great start for the Pens and by no means was it as perfect as the scores says. Fleury was finally the goalie that everyone thought he could be and wanted him to be. He made 40 saves for his 3rd career shutout. The Penalty Killing unit was unreal holding the Flyer to an 0 for 10 on the Power Play as well as 0 for 2 with a 2 man advantage. While it was nice to get the goose egg and the PK was really that good, it was still way to many penalties for one game.
The Defense was a little ragged at points in the game but showed up when they needed to be there. The also chipped in on Offense when Melichar put a puck behind Esche. Also getting on the board were Crosby with his first of the season. Ruutu and Ouellet got the Pens off to the 2-0 leading in the first with their first's of the season.
The game was really physical on the Penguins end, hitting the Flyers any chance that they got. This was best highlighted by the hit Armstrong put on Kapanen after Ouellet was taken hard into the boards. After the big hit former (briefly) Pen Nolan Baumgartner picked a fight with Armstrong which he lost handily. Armstrong was give a big hand while he was skating to the box.
Malkin didn't not play in the opener while still healing from the dislocated shoulder. The Pens were also with out Orpik who broke his hand at some point in the preseason but should be back by Nov while only means about 9 games missed. Rookies Staal and Letang played and played well. Staal played on the PK and does not look out of place in the NHL at all. While he didn't score it was because of the lack of chances and that timing and touch will come. Letang was solid on D. He get beat a few times but was able to recover nicely.
Finally, while the Pen still have somethings to work on as any team would have this early in the season. They did get a good jump start on the season and if they work this hard every night they will be playing meaningful game in April.
Another test comes Sat when the Red Wings come to town.
No really it was a great start for the Pens and by no means was it as perfect as the scores says. Fleury was finally the goalie that everyone thought he could be and wanted him to be. He made 40 saves for his 3rd career shutout. The Penalty Killing unit was unreal holding the Flyer to an 0 for 10 on the Power Play as well as 0 for 2 with a 2 man advantage. While it was nice to get the goose egg and the PK was really that good, it was still way to many penalties for one game.
The Defense was a little ragged at points in the game but showed up when they needed to be there. The also chipped in on Offense when Melichar put a puck behind Esche. Also getting on the board were Crosby with his first of the season. Ruutu and Ouellet got the Pens off to the 2-0 leading in the first with their first's of the season.
The game was really physical on the Penguins end, hitting the Flyers any chance that they got. This was best highlighted by the hit Armstrong put on Kapanen after Ouellet was taken hard into the boards. After the big hit former (briefly) Pen Nolan Baumgartner picked a fight with Armstrong which he lost handily. Armstrong was give a big hand while he was skating to the box.
Malkin didn't not play in the opener while still healing from the dislocated shoulder. The Pens were also with out Orpik who broke his hand at some point in the preseason but should be back by Nov while only means about 9 games missed. Rookies Staal and Letang played and played well. Staal played on the PK and does not look out of place in the NHL at all. While he didn't score it was because of the lack of chances and that timing and touch will come. Letang was solid on D. He get beat a few times but was able to recover nicely.
Finally, while the Pen still have somethings to work on as any team would have this early in the season. They did get a good jump start on the season and if they work this hard every night they will be playing meaningful game in April.
Another test comes Sat when the Red Wings come to town.
Labels: 2006 Game Review
posted by Penguins Blog at 10:31 PM
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