Pens vs Senators Recap Penguins on parade.

Nine different players for the Penguins have scored a goal or more in the past two games. Chris Kunitz specifically has come out of his injury as if he was better than ever, scoring 2 goals in the game against the Oilers and tallying 3 assists last night in Ottawa. Talk about bolstering a floundering offense, yet the damage was done against the worst team in the West, and now the worst team in the East... even still, one can't deny that having most of their forwards back has heavily helped this team.

The first period was a bit slow as the Penguins were getting into their system but once they got to it, they never left it and kept the pedal to the metal the entire game. Johnson made a couple of spectacular saves in the first to keep things alive, and Tyler Kennedy puts a deflection in off a Paul Martin blue line slapper, off two posts and behind the net to get the first goal of the game, and his ninth goal in 20 games. including 2 game winners.T.K All Day continues to put on a good Crosby impression down in front of the net.

In the wild second period of this game is when it really opened up. In the first 3:05 of the second period there were three goals scored. The first, came off of Jordan Staal's effort to stay with the puck after a few shots rang off of Kunitz's and T.K's sticks, Staal finds the puck in front of the crease and dumps it in 2-0 Pens, 1:21 gone in the 2nd. Not to be outdone the Senators took control of the offensive zone after a Michalek penalty and put one behind Johnson, it was the last goal they'd earn that evening, 2-1 pens after 2:08 was gone in the second. "The Penguins need to answer back and fast." I remember saying to myself, and not within but another minute, at 3:05 in the second, Kunitz along the boards, puts it down low behind the net to Staalsy, he kicks out to Lovejoy in the circles, slapshot, goal 3-1 Penguins. Hell of a 3 minute period, but it wasn't over yet.

Not to be out shown, Cooke added in his own little bit of controversy, with what looks like a kicking motion on this goal:
Matt Cooke in the crease almost "kicks" one in, goes off OTT defender.


It would go to review but ultimately Toronto says: "It's a good goal!" Pens go up 4-1 and the last 12 minutes of the period tick away.

What really impressed me was the team kept the pressure on, they didn't let up, they wouldn't let up. Including Alexei Kovalev, who even despite having boos rained down upon him by Ottawa fans who apparently don't understand Kovy was traded, not asked to be traded, was able to do work on this goal that kept the play alive and got it to the right players to make it all happen. Take a look:

 

Kovalev battles, battles and battles along the corner boards to keep the play alive in the zone, only when the double team comes does he dish the puck out to Jeffrey behind the net, who gets it to Michalek in the circle and blasts one home for his third goal in four games.The true testament to this play was Kovalev's work ethic and his desire to win with this team, to play his role and be a part of something special, he did just that on this play and solidifies why he is still a force in the NHL.

Two points for the Penguins that are much needed, the offense is opening up even if on bad teams, Crosby is skating, and things are turning around injury wise, 3 points outside of Philly and first place, and a tightening playoff race await us.

Lets go Pens!