When the Golden Knights got the jump on our Penguins this afternoon at PPG Paints while unleashing the first four shots on goal of the game, I thought, “Uh oh, here we go.”
After all the visitors were well-rested while our Pens were coming off a hard-fought shootout loss to the Rangers at MSG just 24 hours earlier.
I’m pleased to say, my trepidation was unfounded. Our guys soon found their legs and went about the business of methodically grinding the Golden Knights to a fine golden powder, or at the very least stripping them down to their chain mail.
Ben Kindel lit the fuse on the Pens’ powder keg at 14:56 of the opening frame. “Kid Kinde” scooped up a loose puck just over the blue line, skated into a nest of three Golden Knights and whipped the puck past Adin Hill from the slot for his 15th goal of the season.
Next up, the amazing, stupendous Egor Chinakhov and his blistering wrister. Seconds after a power-play expired near the six-minute mark of the second period, Chinny slipped silently into the right circle and… As TNT commentator Darren Pang breathlessly warbled, “(Chinakhov) had no time whatsoever to release this…that is impressive.”
Welcome to our world, Panger. Two-nothing, Pens.
Cue the Pens’ power play. Bryan Rust chipped the puck over Hill’s shoulder from the low slot, courtesy of a block by Jeremy Lauzon at 9:34. Just over five minutes later, Rickard Rakell wrapped a slap/pass from Erik Karlsson around Hill to make it 4-zip, good guys.
Justin Brazeau applied the finishing touch at 14:59 of the third with a sharp, far-side wrister off a nifty drop pass and moving screen by Kindel.
Puckpourri
Statistically, the game was more even than the scoreboard would indicate. Each club registered 22 shots on goal according to NHL.com, with Vegas actually holding an edge in shot attempts (55-48) and a whopping advantage in the faceoff circle (65.4%).
The difference? Goaltending. While 6’4” Hill played small, according to the Ol’Two-Niner Phil Bourque, Arturs Šilovs stuffed, nabbed and smothered every Vegas shot that came his way while earning second-star honors.
The 24-year-old Latvian’s been on quite a streak, posting a .934 save percentage over his last nine games and five victories in his last six. He seems to have nudged ahead of Stuart Skinner in our goalie pecking order. Needless to say, his confidence appears to be soaring.
With a goal and a helper, Kindel earned top-star billing. What a season the kid’s having! Erik Karlsson picked up two assists to garner the No. 3 star.
Brazeau and Rust each chipped in with a goal and an assist. For Rusty, it marked his seventh consecutive 20-goal season. A feat matched by Evgeni Malkin but, remarkably, not Sidney Crosby (injuries).
Balance continues to be a hallmark, as 10 different Pens collected at least a point. Included in that group, Anthony Mantha, who now has seven goals and 16 points in his last 14 games.
Nice to see Rakell get on the scoresheet as well, snapping a four-game points drought. This season’s been a bumpy one for the silky Swede.
Still waiting for Sam Girard (no shots, one giveaway) to make a little noise, although he topped all black-and-gold skaters in Corsi (71.43). In fairness to the newcomer, we’ve only allowed five goals in the three games he’s suited up.
Meanwhile, Avery Hayes continues to play several size larger than his smallish frame. After banging Colton Sissions into the boards, the peppery rookie answered the bell against the much bigger Cole Reinhardt and held his own in a brief scrap.
The Great Chinakhov Heist should earn Kyle Dubas two Executive of the Year awards.
As of this post, the Pens (31-15-13, 75 points) have reclaimed sole possession of second place in the Metro, two points ahead of the Isles, who are playing the Panthers.
On deck, the rugged Bruins in Beantown on Tuesday night.