There were a lot of stories – almost too many to count – in the Penguins’ 6-5 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabers on Wednesday.
But, as they have done time and time again, the biggest stars stole the show.
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Evgeni Malkin scored his 500th career goal and Sidney Crosby scored his 1,600 career point and the overtime game-winner as the Penguins emerged victorious in a wild back-and-forth affair. Bryan Rust, Drew O’Connor, Jesse Puljujarvi and Rickard Rakell also added goals for the Penguins.
Malkin became only the fourth active player to reach the 500-goal mark, joining Washington’s Alex Ovechkin, Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos and teammate Crosby. He is the 48th player in NHL history to join the 500-goal club.
He also added three assists to help seal the victory.
“It’s not easy, it’s a long way to score 500, but I’m happy to do it tonight,” Malkin said. “Finally, I score. Now I am more relaxed, calmer. Don’t think too much. Sleep better and just play hockey. But for the first time, probably, I want to say that I am proud of myself. C ‘is a big number for me.
Crosby also had an unforgettable night. He collected his 1,600th point by assisting on Bryan Rust’s first-period power-play goal, and he added the lone assist on Malkin’s goal as well as the overtime power-play game-winner to cap a three-game night. points.
Related: BREAKING: Penguins center Evgeni Malkin scores 500th career goal
And he was happy to contribute to Malkin’s 500th goal, just as Malkin had contributed to his.
“I wanted it, the last few games,” Crosby said. “I wanted to find a way. Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. Obviously we don’t play together on a line that often. So whether it was a power play or that type of thing, I was hoping that I had the opportunity to try to find him, and it worked.”
He continued, “He prepared me so well for my 500th, and I was hoping I could return the favor.”
It’s difficult to quantify how much these two players have meant to the franchise – and to the city of Pittsburgh – for nearly two decades. But Malkin appreciates how he and Crosby have had the opportunity to reach milestones together during this time.
“I’m the only assist for him out of 500, and he’s the only assist for me,” Malkin said. “It’s crazy. Sometimes I don’t understand how it works. But it’s a great story for me and him. We probably deserve this, to share this night together.”
While this is certainly the major event of the evening, there’s still plenty to discuss. Here are some additional thoughts and observations on tonight’s win:
– This game was wild from start to finish, with fluctuations in all directions. And a lot of that was due to the goaltending.
The Penguins were down 2-0 early in the game, as starting goaltender Tristan Jarry struggled early. They regained some momentum thanks to Rust’s power play goal, but Jarry allowed a third goal to JJ Peterka just 32 seconds later, which meant three goals on just five Buffalo shots.
He was removed in favor of rookie Joel Blomqvist, who was outstanding and stopped 26 of 28 shots in relief. Jarry has been scratched in three of his last six home starts.
It’s safe to say that things aren’t looking good for Jarry. With Alex Nedeljkovic set to return from injury, the Penguins will have some decisions to make with their goaltending.
Related: Penguins’ Crosby scores 1,600th point
During the young season, Jarry allowed 12 goals in three games, owning a goals against average (GAA) of 5.47 and a save percentage of .833 (SV%). Even if he only started three games, that just won’t be enough, especially in the middle of a stretch where the Penguins are playing a lot of games and need to get as many wins as possible.
And things wouldn’t be so daunting for Jarry if Blomqvist was in trouble.
Spoiler alert: it’s not. No way.
Blomqvist was the star of the second period for the Penguins. He made three big saves on three Buffalo breakaways after poor misplays by defensemen Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang, and he made a key save on a Sabres two-on-one in a four-on-four play . He’s arguably the biggest reason why the Penguins were able to keep the game close and ultimately come away with the victory.
That’s the kind of thing a good, timely and efficient goaltender can do for a team. Simply put, the Penguins are getting this from Blomqvist, and only Blomqvist, for now.
Its lateral movement is rapid. He plays with confidence and stands out in front of the net. The rookie has the composure of a veteran. Through three games, he posted a 2.86 GAA and .913 SV.
For now – at least for now – it’s his net. There should be no debate. He deserved it thanks to his performance.
Related: Is there a goaltending controversy in Pittsburgh?
– Even though he scored twice – and almost a third time – the power play looked disastrous tonight. The Penguins spent much of their time enjoying the power play in the neutral and defensive zones. He exhibited the same slow foot and poor movement characteristics that plagued the unit for much of last season.
The worst thing that can happen to them is to fall back into those old habits that don’t work. They need to get back to simplifying things like they did for most of the preseason and early part of the regular season: short passes, player movement and not holding onto the puck.
It’s a difference of day and night. They were able to finish tonight, but they won’t do it with consistency if the unit is anything like what it did against the Sabres.
– Puljujarvi continues to impress almost everyone.
During the second period, Lars Eller sent a perfect pass to Puljujarvi, who was alone in front of the Buffalo net. He beat and scored a nice backhand goal, similar to the one he scored in the pre-season, and it tied the game at 3-3 for the moment:
Sullivan called it a “scorer’s goal.” If this is the version of Puljujarvi the Penguins continue to get, they would be wise to consider extending him a contract offer sooner rather than later.
– O’Connor scored a huge short-handed, three-on-four goal that cut Buffalo’s lead to 3-2 and helped put even more momentum in the Penguins’ favor late in the second period.
It was an important goal for O’Connor and the Penguins. Even though this goal came shorthanded, it’s yet another example of the Penguins’ legitimate depth this season.
Sullivan said he likes the way the third line of O’Connor, Eller and Puljujarvi currently looks and it’s nice to have options to move guys like O’Connor up and down the line. alignment.
I expect to see O’Connor spend some time alongside Crosby, but for now, the Penguins should probably leave that line in place.
– These Penguins aren’t boring, that’s for sure.
The first two periods have already been mentioned. With the score tied 3-3 heading into the third period, Malkin scored his 500th to give the Penguins the lead. But midway through the period, Buffalo scored two goals in 40 seconds to regain the lead.
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Then, with the goaltender pulled and 46 seconds left on the clock, Rakell tied the game with his third goal of the season. It all led to Crosby’s game-winning overtime goal 1:38 seconds into the power play.
It was one of those games that will be remembered for a long time. Ups and downs, changing dynamics and stars rising big time.
– Based on this, the Penguins will play a divisional game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. The Hurricanes are off to a 1-1 start, and the Penguins will need to play a much tighter and more conscientious game defensively if they want to get the win.
O’Connor said they weren’t happy with the game they played, despite the win against Buffalo. Blomqvist has bailed out the Penguins defense on several occasions, so they would do well to get things in order before Friday’s game.
