It was a quiet game for Crosby, who has been held without a point now for three games.It’s a 6-2-0 record for the Pens, but an odd 2-2-4 record for the Caps, who find a way to at least capture 8 out of a possible 16 points in the season series, despite only winning two games.Gotta love NHL math. The is the first time in history that Pittsburgh has beaten Washington six times in the regular season.With both first line wingers over 20 goals this (short) season, these aren’t just guys who play with Sidney Crosby and vulture stats because of it, they’re capable of doing the heavy lifting and can create and finish individual scoring chances and make skilled plays all on their own. Rust turned on the jets for both of his goals, both impressive individual units.But for long stretches he wasn’t challenged all that much. The Pens held them pretty much at bay and Jarry was very sharp when he had to be. Aside from about the last 5-10 minutes of the second period, the Caps were pretty quiet.That stat-line looks like not a lot of drama, even though a lot of those games ended up being hard-fought and very intense, close contests. Pens are now up to 15-2-1 in the last 18 regular season games against the Caps when Pittsburgh scores first.Hopefully his absence won’t be too much longer. That’s potentially tough - the Pens have had the same defensive group together for something like 23 straight games and that’s been a big key to success to have settled into their pairings. Matheson did not return for the third period after the puck did damage to his face.And that’s basically what happens! Some thoughts Tom Wilson goes to the box with 2:53 left after cleaning out Blueger in front of the net, Pittsburgh has pretty much called off the dogs and puts a second defenseman on their power plays, no longer going so aggressive and just ready to run the clock out. Then Teddy Blueger gets in a fight with Brendon Dillon, for some unknown reason. Washington gets their first power play a few minutes later when Jason Zucker gets the gate for hooking. The Pens’ power play doesn’t get much going. The refs finally call the first penalty of the game tonight, 6:07 into the period when Trevor van Riemsdyk sends the puck out of play. Tristan Jarry stops Anthony Mantha on the Caps’ best shot but then Evgeny Kuznetsov and Orlov get good looks at the net that Jarry makes strong saves on. The Penguins then have to weather some storms. Mike Matheson leaves the ice bloody when a Jarry clearing attempt strikes his defender in the face and halts the game to get him some attention and help him slowly off the ice. For Rust, he joins Jeff Carter as the players who have gone to protocol twice so far this season.Score a goal ✅ /hawIBWTQy4- Pittsburgh Penguins May 2, 2021 They would be Brian Boyle, Casey DeSmith, Mark Friedman, Danton Heinen, Kasperi Kapanen, Evgeni Malkin, and Jason Zucker. There are now only seven Pens players who have not taken a trip to the COVID protocol list this season. The NHL and NHLPA have moved to lessen the window of isolation to five days for players with asymptomatic cases, but it remains to be seen when or if the Pens will get Rust and McGinn back with them on this current road trip that last for five more games and nine more days and wraps up in Vegas on Monday January 17th.
Rust and McGinn join forward Drew O’Connor as the current three Pittsburgh players in COVID protocol. If the Pens don’t utilize Riikola there, the only other option for today would be to dress and play defenseman Mark Friedman as a forward. Sullivan has used defender Juuso Riikola as a forward in the past, Riikola is currently with the team on the taxi squad. We'll do our best to keep guys involved and make sure we get proper rest for certain guys up front."- Pittsburgh Penguins January 8, 2022 "Some coaches prefer playing 7 D-men and 11 forwards. Coach Sullivan also mentioned that a defenseman will have to play in a forward role today.
0 kommentar(er)
