Following unseasonably warm temps during the day, it was a chilly night in Chicago.
A chili night, too.
Let me explain. Back in the day, local Wendy’s restaurants would give out free bowls of chili to patrons who produced ticket stubs when the Penguins scored seven or more goals. A fairly common occurrence back in the halcyon days of Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr.
The big guns last night, with an emphasis on BIG? Hulking forward Justin Brazeau, who notched his first NHL hat trick, and his equally super-sized linemate, Anthony Mantha, who chipped in with the game-opening goal and a helper.
Bryan Rust (two first-period goals) and Noel Acciari rounded out the list of black-and-gold scorers.
Elsewhere, Ryan Shea contributed mightily with a superb, three-assist, plus-five game from the blue line. His partner, Jack St. Ivany, also enjoyed a solid outing, collecting two assists to go with a plus-two.
In the good great news department, Blake Lizotte returned from IR with a flourish. The peppery center registered two helpers while spearheading a resurgent PK that snuffed out three Hawks power plays.
What a difference he makes!
Needless to say, so glad to have him back.
Puckpourri
The contest pitted two foes in the midst of deep slides. The Pens were 1-5-4 in their last 10. The Hawks, ravaged by injuries to cornerstone Connor Bedard and rising star Frank Nazar, were on an extended 4-12-2 downer.
Needless to say, our Pens took full advantage, piling up a four-goal, first-period lead to chase embattled Hawks netminder Spencer Knight. This time we held firm, with no give backs or unsightly collapses.
Our defense appears to have solidified since coach Dan Muse paired Shea with St. Ivany and moved newcomer Brett Kulak alongside Kris Letang on the second tandem.
Rather quietly, Tanger has a goal and 11 points over his past 15 games.
Erik Karlsson skated only one shift in the third period. No word of yet regarding his condition.
Not to belabor the point, but what a difference Lizotte makes. The fourth line was once again at its buzz-saw best, providing Muse with a momentum-shifting trio. Acciari came within an assist of registering a Gordie Howe Hat Trick. “Cookie” took down Hawks d-man Connor Murphy during a brief but spirited tussle near the end of the first period.
For those keeping track, it was only the fourth fight of the season for the black-and-gold. Boko Imama, Matt Dumba and Mantha were our other fisticuffians (?).
For the record, former Pens power forward and assistant Rick Tocchet has the most GHHT’s with 18, one ahead of Brendan Shanahan. Howe, whose toughness was legendary, had two.
Danton Heinen was placed on waivers to make room for Lizotte. Kevin Hayes was a healthy scratch, along with Connor Clifton and Ryan Graves.
Still no word when Evgeni Malkin might return from IR. He’s been skating on his own.
Arturs Silovs got the starting nod between the pipes and stopped 21 of 24 shots faced in a solid effort. However, shades of Anaheim, he did yield a goal to Tyler Bertuzzi in the final second after the Hawks’ winger picked St. Ivany’s pocket with the aid of a broken stick.
Still, that’s two wins in a row for the young Latvian.
Hawks captain Nick Foligno, who I’ve long coveted, struck from the doorstep in his first game back from IR. Former Pens defenseman Matt Grzelcyk was a minus-two in 19:53 of ice time.
With their second win in the past three games, the Pens improved to 16-12-9 with 41 points, good for seventh in the Metro. We’re one point off the pace for the second Eastern Conference wild-card slot.
Up next, Rod Brind’Amour’s division-leading Hurricanes on Tuesday night, followed by a home-and-home with the Red Wings on Thursday and Saturday.