3 Winners and Losers from Penguins vs. Canadiens

This easily ranks as the most thrilling game of the Pittsburgh Penguins season to date. Although I typically root for wins in regulation, witnessing a 12-round shootout that culminates with the Penguins emerging victorious was an absolutely great night of Pittsburgh hockey to watch.

The Penguins narrowly secured a 4-3 victory over the Canadiens in a night marked by a historic moment for the Penguins’ captain, a game-winning goal from Jansen Harkins, and yet another standout performance by Jake Guentzel. However, the night wasn’t without its drawbacks, which I’ll delve into in this article.

Now, let’s dive into the nuanced breakdown of tonight’s game, identifying the key players and factors that shaped the outcome. We’ll examine who stepped up to the challenge and who fell short, categorizing them as winners and losers.

Winner: Jake Guentzel Keeps Showing Up

Jake Guentzel’s early season was marked by an uncharacteristic slump, raising concerns among fans and analysts alike. However, the tide has dramatically turned. Recently, Guentzel has been a force to reckon with, transforming his game into a consistent display of skill and scoring prowess.

His ability to rack up points and goals game after game has not only silenced critics but also infused a vital spark into the Penguins’ offensive line.

This resurgence isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about how Guentzel’s performance uplifts the team. His scoring streak has been a catalyst for the Penguins, igniting their offense and boosting overall team confidence.

It’s a classic case of an elite player finding his rhythm and elevating the entire squad’s play through sheer individual brilliance. In doing so, Guentzel has reasserted himself as a crucial component of the Penguins success formula.

In tonight’s faceoff with the Canadiens, Guentzel’s prowess was once again on full display. He notably scored a crucial powerplay goal in the 2nd period, his second in as many nights, which narrowed the Habs’ lead to 3-2. This came after the Penguins less-than-ideal first period.

Guentzel’s presence on the ice was formidable. He logged over 23 minutes of ice time and participated in 28 shifts, matching Sidney Crosby’s tally. His dynamic performance is a key factor in why he stands out as a winner tonight. Guentzel’s efforts were pivotal in the Penguins turnaround, contributing significantly to their second consecutive win.

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.

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.