For the second day in a row the Penguins saw standings points slip away when there was a real chance to earn a victory. Today, it was a blown third period to the Los Angeles Kings in a 3-2 regulation loss.
The biggest moment in the game, for me, was when Evgeni Malkin was tripped by the boards and the play was allowed to continue. Shortly thereafter the Kings scored the third and deciding goal when it should have been the league’s #1 power play going to the man advantage. Such is life over the course of the 82 game regular season. You’re going to eventually be on the wrong end, the Penguins were today.
Sergei Murashov’s debut
Sergei Murashov made his NHL debut and it was a successful one. He gave up three goals in the loss stopping 24 out of the 27 shots. Overall, he held his own. He looked poised and tracking things well. I don’t think the moment was too big for him.
His first ever goal against was against Anze Kopitar. It was a wonky goal as it came from the corner and deflected off of Parker Wotherspoon’s stick right through Murashov’s legs.
The second goal was a nice shot by the 40 year old Corey Perry from the slot. The Kings executed a textbook rush by making the drop pass and then running some interference on the Penguins Ryan Shea to give Perry room as the trailer to pick his shot.
The third goal Murashov got a great look at what an NHL goal scorer looks like. Kevin Fiala put a great fake on Erik Karlsson to get around him and then outwaited Murashov who was doing his best to track him. Ultimately, it was a great play by Fiala (even if the Kings should have been shorthanded)
Perhaps Murashov had patience in poise for most of the game because he is secretly 43 years old
Home cooking for Mantha
Anthony Mantha loves playing at PPG Paints Arena. He scored his eighth goal of the year just as the power play was about to expire. It was his fifth consecutive game where he has scored a goal at home.
Kyle Dubas is getting a great return on investment with Mantha so far this season. Mantha carries a 2.5M cap hit and has provided necessary goal scoring for the Penguins impressive early start to the season. He is on a 39 goal pace at the moment.
Novak starting to fit in
Novak had a slow start to the season. It looked more like he was doing a Philip Tomasino impression than someone who was going to make a difference for the team. It was confounding because his skating and skills are very apparent.
Lately, he is starting to be more of a positive difference maker on the ice. Today, he kicked off the scoring by burying a beautiful Evgeni Malkin pass on the back door.
If he can start going to the dirty spots on the ice and complement that with his ability to use his speed on the outside we’ll start to see more tangible results offensively. He may find it on Malkin’s wing with the injury issues the team is having. Malkin would welcome it.
I know the Mantha-Malkin-Brazeau line had great results, but I think it wouldn’t be the worst thing to get some speed alongside Malkin.
Novak currently has a 53.81 xGF% at 5v5 which is 3rd best among the regular players. Additionally, he has a 1.56 points per 60 at 5v5 which is 7th best on the team.
Kindel almost KO’d
Ben Kindel has had an amazing start to his NHL career. Mostly everything has gone his way. He got his first bit of adversity today when he got absolutely rocked by Brandt Clarke.
Kindel went into the boards hard and went to the lockerroom. When the Penguins returned in the second period Kindel was not on the bench. I can’t speak for anybody else, but it did put a bit of panic into me. Kindel has been one of the top reasons to watch the Penguins this year and a potential head injury is not something I’m prepared to handle right now. Fortunately, Kindel did return to the game and re-joined the Crosby line. Our beautiful boy Ben is safe for now. Don’t try that move at the blue line again, though.
There won’t be another Penguins game for a while. The team is going to shift gears and head across the Atlantic. It is time for the two games against the Nashville Predators in Stockholm, Sweden.
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