Last week, the Pens got to stay at home for a whole four games! Don’t worry about the fact that the fourth isn’t here, I’m gatekeeping it. You may not know what happened.
On Sunday, Feb. 18, the Los Angeles Kings were the first in the series of opponents traveling to Pittsburgh. This night was special, as the Penguins honored Jaromir Jagr and retired his number. The night started out hopeful for Pittsburgh with a powerplay goal from captain Sidney Crosby. Thanks to strong goaltending and a lot of great stops on both sides, the score would remain 1-0 Pens throughout the second period. However, tides would turn in the third. With just six minutes left to go, Adrian Kempe would score for Los Angeles and tie up the game. The Penguins went on the power play three minutes later, but Kempe added insult to injury by scoring a shorthanded goal for the Kings. Pittsburgh was unable to recover, and lost to Los Angeles, 2-1.
On Tuesday, Feb. 20, the Penguins faced off against the New York Islanders. A goal from Marcus Pettersson in the first would give the Pens an early lead, but the Islanders really rallied in the second period. They scored three in a row, bringing the game to 3-1, Islanders. A goal from Lars Eller for the Penguins would lessen the gap, but not close it. In the third, New York scored again to regain their two-goal lead. In an optimistic turn of events, two more goals for Pittsburgh from Valtteri Puustinen and Drew O’Connor tied the game, and we were treated to some bonus hockey in overtime. Unfortunately, the Penguins were not able to seal the deal, and would ultimately fall to the Islanders in OT, 5-4.
On Thursday, Feb. 22, the Canadiens traveled from Montreal so that the Penguins could continue their home stint in Pittsburgh. Montreal fans had some hope when they opened scoring in the first, but a goal from Kris Letang just two minutes later would promptly tie the game. In the second, the Penguins were able to capitalize on a power play for the second time in a week– this could be a new record for this season’s team! Along with the Bryan Rust power play goal, O’Connor was also able to put a wrister between the Canadiens’ posts, bringing the score to 3-1. In the third, Jarry continued to deny the Canadiens time after time. In the last 90 seconds of the game, a Letang empty netter would drive it home. A beautiful Peng-win, 5-1.
This week, the Penguins are going on a road trip. On Tuesday, they’re off to Vancouver to play the Canucks, then to Seattle on Thursday to go up against the Kraken. On Saturday, they’ll face off against the Flames in Calgary, and finish out their roadtrip in Edmonton to play the Oilers on Sunday. Let’s go Pens!
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