Pittsburgh Penguins: 3 Things Learned Versus Ottawa

The Pittsburgh Penguins had another big come-from-behind win, this time against a non-playoff team in the Ottawa Senators. As the regular season winds down, what did we learn in the Penguins most recent game?

1. Penguins’ Resiliency

This Penguins team does not give up. Ever. Down three goals to a non-playoff team in that team’s home arena. No matter. The Penguins have the resiliency and fortitude to keep playing hard. You have to think, even though some of the young guys continue to contribute, that it is the veteran leadership on this team which brings the resiliency. Sidney Crosby scored two goals in the comeback victory, granted one was an empty-netter. When the chips are down, he’s the guy this team will look to.

2. Hagelin’s Value

Carl Hagelin has become a valuable asset for this Penguins team. In Hagelin’s last 7 games, he has notched 8 points (5 goals, 3 assists). This is the type of scoring production we expected to see from the Swedish forward when general manager Jim Rutherford acquired him from Anaheim earlier this year. During the recent 7 game stretch, Hagelin has twice scored 2 goals in comeback victories.

Apr 5, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Carl Hagelin (62) scores against Ottawa Senators goalie Andrew Hammond (30) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Penguins defeated the Senators 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /

In the Pens 7-2 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings, he helped stretch the lead to 2 goals, after the team went down 1-0 early in the game. He then put another puck in the net in the third period to help clinch the game. Then in the Penguins contest against the Senators, Hagelin scored the game-tying and the game-winning goals to essentially give the Pens the victory.

With Evgeni Malkin and Scott Wilson out long-term, Hagelin has stepped up to the plate to add some much-needed firepower. We also need to acknowledge the contributions of Nick Bonino, Matt Cullen and Phil Kessel who have all increased their production as well.

3. Penalty-Kill Prowess

While the game was knotted at 3-3, there were some tense moments for Pens fans as penalties needed to be killed. Their was 1:32 of 5-on-3 hockey, where the Penguins needed to keep the puck out of the net. The thing the Penguins need to correct here is staying out of the bin. To their credit though, they kept that puck out of the net. Ian Cole was a large reason for that success, as he was on the ice for the duration of the PK. With his gritty play, he blocked pucks and did whatever was necessary to help netminder Matt Murray stave off the Senators’ attack.