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Penguins’ Third-Period Surge Seals 5-2 Win Over Flames

ByJustin Otstott|
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 14: Evgeni Malkin (L) #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates a goal with Rickard Rakell #67 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period against the Calgary Flames at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 14, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 14: Evgeni Malkin (L) #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates a goal with Rickard Rakell #67 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period against the Calgary Flames at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 14, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

What was that 3rd Period from the Penguins? Scoring goals in the 3rd instead of coughing up leads? Yeah, I could get used to this.

The Penguins pulled off a classic third-period heist against the Flames, scoring all five of their goals in the final frame to secure a 5-2 win. After spending the first two periods collecting penalties like they were rare trading cards and window-shopping for goals, they flipped the script.

https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1713380013565784081

It’s like they were saving their energy for a grand finale, or maybe they gave up their desire to sit in the box. After accumulating a total of 4 penalties, the Pens seemed to have a change of heart. Rust and Smith’s back-to-back goals, followed by Guentzel and Malkin joining the scoring party, made it clear: this team can turn it on when it counts.

In his Penguins debut, Alex Nedeljkovic was nothing short of a wall, racking up 34 saves on 36 shots. With a save percentage of .944—a number you can hang your hat on—he let only 2 slip by. His standout performance was a bright spot in a game that could’ve quickly gone south, especially considering his teammates’ early penchant for penalties over netting goals. Nedeljkovic stood his ground, proving he’s more interested in guarding the net than joining his teammates in the penalty box.

The Penguins’ defense put in a solid performance, effectively balancing their responsibilities in both the offensive and defensive zones. Marcus Pettersson stood out for his shot-blocking, while Kris Letang and Ryan Graves contributed at both ends of the ice with a +3 rating. However, discipline was an issue, particularly for Graves, who took two penalties. Overall, the defense played a significant role in the team’s third-period comeback, helping to turn a close game into a decisive win.

The Good Stuff

  1. Two-Way Threats: Kris Letang and Ryan Graves were everywhere, man. Letang dished out two assists, and both had a +3 rating. Meanwhile, Bryan Rust and Reilly Smith lit the lamp, each scoring twice. That’s what you call a full-team effort.
  2. Shot Blocking & Scoring: Marcus Pettersson was a human wall with six blocked shots, while Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin found the back of the net. Defense and offense working in harmony.
  3. Time Management: Erik Karlsson and Letang were the ironmen of the game, logging TOIs of 25:15 and 24:19, respectively. On the flip side, Sidney Crosby had a TOI of 18:04 and contributed with an assist. These guys were the engines that kept the train moving.

Room for Improvement

  1. Quiet Performers: Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Chad Ruhwedel were more like background artists today. They didn’t make any glaring errors but also didn’t light up the stat sheet.
  2. Penalty Woes: The Pens had their fair share of time in the sin bin. Ryan Graves himself had two penalties. You can’t score or defend from the penalty box, can you?
  3. Faceoff Struggles: Noel Acciari had a faceoff win percentage of just 30%. In a game where possession matters, that’s something to work on.

Next Up For The Penguins

The Penguins are set to clash with the Detroit Red Wings on October 18th. Fresh off a 5-2 win against the Flames, the Pens are riding high and looking to keep the momentum going.

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