If Games 1 and 2 have shown us anything for the Penguins, it’s that it’s only going to get chirpier. That, among other things, needs to stay right in Game 3 tonight.
Those other things that need to start real are the renewed heart of the Pittsburgh Penguins and their young defensive guru, John Marino. Marino has been lights out during both match-ups, so that should stay similarly the same; the heart, however, came on Monday night, and it needs to stay.
Starting with the latter of those two topics, let’s dive in on the renewed spirit that is leading the Penguins. It was utterly non-existent in Game 1, so it needed to be valid from the onset of Monday nights game. It didn’t take long either, as Sidney Crosby led from the front and put the Pens in front. That push never slowed down, and even though the game was tight for all 60 minutes, the heart condition stayed lit up.
From players chirping at one another during the breaks in play, to more than one occasion of a delay in the action due to some extracurricular activities; it was all there. That chirping came due to a renewed heart and push from the boys in Black and Gold wanting and needing good results.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Heart, chirpiness, and John Marino
It may have started from the play for Sid and his Kids (aka Jake Guentzel) but the likes of Bryan Rust, Conor Sheary, and Patric Hornqvist that kept it going all night. It helped that Matt Murray was stellar in between the pipes, but all in all, that heart and desire are what pushed them through a tight 3-1 win.
On the other topic of if it’s not broke, don’t fix it, comes the Harvard genius, John Marino. His praises have come far and wide, and realistically just shy of the Rookie of the Year discussion for the entirety of the NHL. He has been a brick wall, taking on shots, top-class forwards, and winning just about every battle that has come his way.
He is going to need to keep that up because as the series tightens, the defense and Marino will be pushed to their limits. If Game 2 has taught us anything, it’s that a little momentum and heart can go along way. Oh, and getting into some fun, chirpiness along the way doesn’t hurt. Puck drops at 8:00 PM EST, LETS GO PENS!