Pre-game
The Penguins continue with the same lineup and winning lines as last night, except that it’s Casey DeSmith on the net for the first time since the sixth grade picnic (February 11th).
First period
A very mild start to the second games for both teams starting around 18-19 hours after the last game ended. The Pens register only two shots on goal, both at the end of the period, and seem especially slow.
Marcus Pettersson receives a hook penalty at the end of the opening period and the Islanders’ power play wins again. This time it’s Oliver Wahlstrom passing the wheelhouse and shooting over DeSmith’s shoulder to delay 1-0.
But the Penguins can also thank DeSmith who is just a 1-0 game after one and they are still in this game, because they really don’t deserve it. Pittsburgh almost literally did nothing with pitches in 9-2 New York and 5×5 in the chances of scoring in 7-3, which seems 3 too high for the Pens.
Second period
Coach Mike Sullivan goes for the changes early on, mainly putting Bryan Rust back with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel on the front row.
At around 2:30 pm, Evgeni Malkin suffers a sharp penalty when he breaks his club to send the Islanders to the second, and second, power play of the game. Pens kill him.
Brandon Tanev is scheduled to play with Malkin and Jared McCann. Kasperi Kapanen moved on to play with Teddy Blueger and Zach Aston-Reese. The fourth line is barely touching.
Guentzel then takes a penalty and the Sullivan switches continue with the unusual step of playing Crosby + Rust as PK’ers. It doesn’t work, as the Islanders’ pass separates Pens and JG Pageau from the slot to make it 2-0.
The Pens finally get their first power game and the disaster almost happens when Malkin loses a bouncing record, launching Casey Cizikas on the run. Fortunately, he also gets in the way of the record and can’t quite hit his colleague Casey.
End of period, NYI shots 16-8 on Monday and 25-10 overall. About sums it all up!
Third period
Pens are playing better, but the scoring effects and islanders canceled the check and are happy to sit and take this baby home. Pittsburgh has a second chance at power play and some really good zone time, but again there is a lot of perimeter crossing and lack of movement and not much happens.
McCann then goes to the area through interference by the goalkeeper, who, hey, at least someone is driving into the net. The Pittsburgh death penalty does the job.
With just over 4 minutes remaining, Rust suffers a very weak interference penalty that kills another two minutes.
The Pens pull the goalkeeper and get a 6×5 time, but still do not come close to scoring. The game ends mercifully.
Some thoughts
- Just no Pens juice tonight. Rapid recovery from the previous night, but it was also quick for the islanders. Almost as if Pittsburgh were happy enough with the victory last night and just winning this one.
- DeSmith was a good bright spot, probably the only one in this game. It was only his second game since February 1st, but he was very sharp and played well. I can’t say that about anyone else on the team.
- Again, Sullivan’s first reaction in a tightening is to downgrade Kapanen off the Crosby / Malkin line. Strange to see. Tanev has been doing well lately, so it’s understandable that he takes a look to give a spark, and Guentzel-Crosby-Rust is a tried and tested trio, but it’s a little revealing that Kapanen is always the first to give.
- The Pens have just started a period in which they played 14 games in 23 days. Back-to-back today. His 4th row played every 5-6 minutes ES today, in a situation where they really needed some energy and could have used a boost. This is becoming a bigger storyline as the team lacks four quality and reliable lines. This will likely become an even bigger deal as we progress through the season and the best players continue to be tested night after night.
- 2 goals, both in the power game for the Islanders. The Pen power game? 0 by 2.
- But overall, the Pens are 4-2 against the Islanders in six games this season. This is a favorable position to be in until now.
- And, there were 10 games in a row that they had to play against Caps or Islanders. It has been hard work for all of us and the end of a long journey. A little bit of variety and seeing new teams will be a welcome development.
Pens come home and see new faces on the Flyers starting this Tuesday.