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John Tavares picks up goal and assist, but Penguins force shootout to beat Islanders 4-3

I like being right but I really hate when I'm right and wish I was wrong.  That happened in tonight's game against the Islanders where number-one pick John Tavares picked up his first NHL point as part of a secondary assist on a Mark Streit first period PP goal.  Before long he'd also get his first NHL goal in the second period to put the Isles ahead 2-1.

Of course Sid started the scoring off first, beating Dwayne Roloson five hole (sweet pic above).  Ruslan Fedotenko dished a pretty pass off the boards that sent Sid in on a breakaway and the rest was gravy.

Fedotenko is another story, as he was on the receiving end of a big hit from Brendan WittJay McKee stood up for him, a bold step from one of Pittsburgh's newest additions.  McKee received a game misconduct for his actions, and both he and Tenk went off to the dressing room.  That penalty opened up the first scoring opportunity for New York, a 5-on-3 PP that led to the aforementioned Streit goal.  Any concern that Fedotenko suffered an injury was squashed when he returned for the second period.

A slick steal off Gonchar's stick opened up a John Tavares breakaway - a one-on-one drive right towards Marc-Andre Fleury.  Fleury held his ground and denied JT, much to the chagrine of Nassau Colliseum.  If Tavares buries that one you know for a fact that it'd be all over the highlight reels not just tonight, but likely for most of the season.

The second closed out with the Islanders still holding a 2-1 lead.  You had to think that Dan Bylsma was going to use the second intermission as an opportunity to get these guys back in the same place.

No better chance could've presented itself than in the form of a power-play opportunity less than a minute into the third.  Roloson made some key saves, the Islanders' D blocked a ton of shots and the Pens came up empty with the man advantage for the third time.

Retribution came shortly after when the Penguins won a faceoff to the right of Roloson.  Mark Eaton put a loopy shot on net that deflected off an Islander stick and turned into a goal.  Lucky break.  17 seconds later?  Not so much.  The Islanders charged back quickly to make it 3-2.

With four minutes to go, 3-2 Islanders, Fedotenko hammered away in front of the net and eventually chipped one in off an Islanders player to tie it at three.

Islanders couldn't finish out on the PP, a chance that came after Bill Guerin took a slashing penalty with about three minutes to go.  The Pens had a few close chances as well before sending this one into overtime with fears of a Tavares shootout-winning goal filed away in the "I sure hope not" department.

That fear grew even greater when after five minutes of scoreless play the shootout list was made and both teams faced off with their top shooters.  Jeff Tambellini missed for the Islanders, Letang scored for the Pens, Tavares shot WIDE of the net and Crosby put it away.  Game, set, match Pittsburgh - but man were they lucky to get a point out of this one, let alone two.

Discipline, or lack thereof, really was the name of Pittsburgh's game tonight.  That much was evident on New York's first two goals, which came on the power play.  By the end of the night they had six chances with the man advantage, scoring only on those first two.

Are the emotions getting the best of this team right out of the gate?

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Comments

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Tavares looked less than impressive in 5 on 5 play

by BDON911 on Oct 4, 2009 1:49 AM EDT reply actions  

I like how they made it a point to lay him out more than a few times. Just remind him where he is. He got winded on one of those hits too.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Oct 4, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions  

I thought the Pens looked a bit out of place last night… making sloppy plays and taking unnecessary penalties… I’d agree with Frank, that they were lucky to get the 2 points.

Tavares did more than OK, and come on, how many rookies can you name that have been ready for the 5 on 5 play in the NHL from the get-go? and speaking of rookies… anyone see the Colorado game yesterday afternoon? That Duchene kid’s really got some moves:)

You have to see it for yourself...

by Bla Razor on Oct 4, 2009 5:29 AM EDT reply actions  

Duchene is slick. Craig Anderson is insane in net too. He was great with Florida but highly underrated because he was getting pelted with 40+ shots on a nightly basis. Limit his shots and he’ll still save a ton. Last night he did just that and got the shutout too.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Oct 4, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions  

Wow, what a game. The Islanders have so much at stake and so much to prove, and that showed last night. The Pens couldn’t out-hungry them at all. However, they could easily have outsmarted the Islanders, and…didn’t. They so didn’t. They’ll have to work on keeping their emotions in check.

Fantastic yet frustrating game all at once. And I can say I feel kinda good for Tavares because the right team ultimately won.

"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007

by GreenEyedLilo on Oct 4, 2009 8:11 AM EDT reply actions  

Yeah I’ll give Tavares his hat tip for now. If/when he smacks around Pittsburgh in the future I won’t be too kind I’m sure.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Oct 4, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions  

Exactly. The 8-year-old Pens fan I was with did not understand why I went “Awwww” to Tavares’ goal celebration at all. I had to tell her, “We can let him have this one. He’s just not allowed to have a second.” Thankfully, MAF agreed.

And now I really have to quit discussing this game, exciting as it was, ‘cause I’m going right back to Lawngiland to surf today!

"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007

"Don't beat yourself!"--Darrell Waltrip

by GreenEyedLilo on Oct 4, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions  

Comment fail. Sorry.

"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007

"Don't beat yourself!"--Darrell Waltrip

by GreenEyedLilo on Oct 4, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions  

I think the Pens have a lot of nervous energy out there. They are still pretty young and it’s their first time defending the cup, and I think they are excited for the season. The big thing is we are winning, those points will count no matter what, and the team looks like it is playing well together, unlike last years start.

This team needs Talbot. Crack a joke, loosen up the room, stop all this manic behavior. We have a great assemblage of guys, with Sid’s lead by example, Malkin’s extreme confidence (scoring title or cup, I’ll take both), Gonchar and Guerin’s veteran leadership and Talbot, who really ties the room together.

I may be wrong but it just seems like we need to loosen up and play, stop going so fast and over doing everything, just loosen up. It will straighten out soon, they just need a few games.

by Phantaskippy on Oct 4, 2009 2:20 PM EDT reply actions  

Did Chris Borque play last night?

by stoopidtom on Oct 4, 2009 4:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

No, he’s been a healthy scratch for the first two games.

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night

by Hooks Orpik on Oct 4, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

Did you SEE him play? Or check the game stats?

by biggoron on Oct 5, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions  

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