3 Winners and Losers from Penguins vs. Canadiens

Losers: Kris Letang and Ryan Graves Bad Around the Net

Watching the Penguins concede goals is always frustrating, especially when the initial impulse is to fault the goaltender. Yet, tonight’s game revealed a different narrative.

While the instinct might be to critique Alex Nedeljkovic for the goals allowed, a closer look shows that defensemen Kris Letang and Ryan Graves played a significant part in these missteps. In one notable instance, they inadvertently obstructed Nedeljkovic’s view in the first period, leading to a goal slipping past him.

Despite this, Nedeljkovic managed to end the game with an impressive .929 save percentage, making it hard to categorize him as a loser.

Admittedly, placing Letang in the loser category feels counterintuitive, especially considering his crucial role in the shootout. However, the issue lies in his inconsistent presence around the net, often becoming a hindrance rather than a help to his own netminder.

Graves, on the other hand, was even more disappointing. His contribution, or lack thereof, in terms of statistics was noticeable, but more concerning was his repeated obstruction of Nedeljkovic’s line of sight. This performance was far from what one would expect defensively from either player.

As an additional point, while Nedeljkovic could arguably have performed better in the shootout, thereby preventing the need for an extended 12 rounds, it’s clear that the defensive challenges posed by Letang and Graves during regulation didn’t do him any favors.

Winner: Pittsburgh Penguins PK Unit in OT

When discussing the winners of tonight’s game, it’s imperative to highlight the exceptional performance of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ penalty kill unit. This season, they’ve consistently shown themselves to be the antithesis of their powerplay counterparts, and their outing in Montreal was a testament to that. Despite conceding an early goal to Monahan in the first period, their true moment of brilliance shone in overtime.

Faced with a challenging situation after Evgeni Malkin was penalized for tripping—a call I personally found questionable—the penalty kill unit didn’t falter. Although the atmosphere was tense, and doubts began to surface about their ability to withstand this critical juncture, the unit rose to the occasion.

The penalty kill unit expertly neutralized the threat, efficiently killing off the penalty and restoring the team to full strength. This crucial intervention came at a moment when the game’s outcome hung in the balance.

It’s worth noting, though, that the Penguins increasing reliance on their penalty kill unit to bail them out of tight spots is becoming a concerning trend. While it showcases the unit’s skill and resilience, it also raises questions about the team’s overall game strategy. This is a topic that deserves its own in-depth discussion at a later time.

Their resilience and effectiveness in such a high-pressure situation not only reflects their season-long reliability but also cements their status as undeniable winners of tonight’s game. The Penguins penalty kill unit, with their unyielding defense and strategic insight, proved once again why they are a cornerstone of the team’s wins this season.

Loser: Where Did Malkin Go?

Before raising any eyebrows, I’ll concede that classifying Malkin as a ‘loser’ tonight might seem like a stretch, especially given his assist.

However, in assessing the Penguins’ performance areas for improvement, Malkin’s showing merits attention. While he’s been outstanding this season, setting a high bar, tonight’s game didn’t quite reflect his usual standard.

Malkin struggled to find his rhythm throughout the game. His efforts, including a lackluster attempt in the shootout, fell short of the impact we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from him.

Comparing this performance with his season’s highlights, the difference is stark. Of course, every player is entitled to an off night, and this seems to be one of those instances for Malkin.

His tripping penalty, already discussed, was particularly ill-timed, regardless of the call’s fairness. It came at a moment when the Penguins were pushing for a winning goal, but instead, it forced them to rely on their penalty kill unit.

While this incident and his overall quieter presence tonight land Malkin in the ‘loser’ category, it’s crucial to emphasize that this label is temporary and situational. Malkin is undeniably a key player for the Penguins; it’s just that tonight, he wasn’t at his best.

Winner: Sidney Crosby Had a Historic Night

The standout star of the night was undoubtedly the Penguins’ captain, Sidney Crosby. His remarkable performance, featuring two goals and an assist, wasn’t just impressive on its own merits; it also propelled him past Paul Coffey to tie with former teammate Mark Recchi for 13th place on the NHL’s all-time points list, amassing 1,533 points in his illustrious career.

But Crosby’s contributions extended beyond just the scoreboard. I’d argue that his milestone achievement electrified the Penguins, igniting a spark that ultimately clinched their victory. It was a night of near-misses and triumphs for Crosby.

He was tantalizingly close to scoring a hat trick at the end of the 2nd period, only to be thwarted by the clock. And while his goal in the shootout doesn’t count towards official stats, it further underscored his pivotal role in the game’s outcome.

Reflecting on Crosby’s career, it’s been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for fans. Watching him consistently break records and set new benchmarks in the NHL is a testament to his enduring excellence. He hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, much to the chagrin of his critics.

As a fan, witnessing Crosby’s journey and his ability to make history season after season has been an extraordinary experience. Cry more, haters.

Loser: Fans That Missed This Game

Let’s face it, if you weren’t tuned into tonight’s Penguins game, you missed a spectacle. It wasn’t just any regular game; it was a showcase of hockey at its finest.

You missed Sidney Crosby ascending the NHL’s all-time points list, a testament to his legendary status in the sport. The game’s climax, a nail-biting 12-round shootout, was the kind of edge-of-your-seat action that defines great sports moments. And let’s not forget Jansen Harkins’ dramatic game-winner, sealing the Penguins’ second consecutive victory with a 4-3 win over the Canadiens.

In the realm of missed opportunities, missing this game is right at the top. As someone who’s witnessed countless thrilling Penguins games, and hockey in general, I can confidently say this was the most entertaining game of the season so far.

The excitement was palpable, the kind of energy that keeps you glued to the screen. While these high-drama games are exhilarating, more regulation wins would be welcome, helping the Penguins ascend the Metropolitan Division standings.

For fans, every game is an opportunity to be part of something special, to witness history in the making. Tonight, we got a mix of everything. Missing a game like this means missing out on the sheer joy and unpredictability of hockey.