Second-Period Collapse Leads to 4-3 Loss
by FrankD on Nov 29, 2011 11:24 PM EST
in Game Recaps
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PrintThe old saying "you can't win em all" is often used as a form of solace, but that is hardly the case for Tuesday's loss to the Rangers. Maybe you can't win em all, but you also won't win many in outings like that.
All in all, I don't really think the Penguins played a bad game. Is that fair to say? I mean, I'd love to say, "Let's forget about that second period for a second and look at the rest of the game," but that would be a bit unfair. After all, if you eliminate that one period it's a Penguins shutout, which seems somewhat amusing to consider when you see how the game actually ended.
We've seen the Pens do this rally stuff many times - hell, we've seen other teams do it to us too. That's just the way it goes sometimes and tonight, unfortunately, it did not go Pittsburgh's way. The Rangers capitalized at the most opportunistic times. That's how you win, and that's what New York did. Pittsburgh took only two penalties in the second period which, when compared to the whistle-fest in the first period for both teams, seems a bit controlled. However on both of those penalties the Penguins' penalty kill was unable to get the job done, sacrificing two goals and allowing the Rangers to build some momentum. And really, for New York, the second period ended like it started. PP goal to kick it off, two goals in the middle and another tally with the man advantage to close it out.
And yet, Pittsburgh still made a game of it. A Rangers friend of mine actually said, "The Rangers got lucky," but I don't think that was really the case. Like I said, they made the most of the opportunities they created on at least two of those four goals (we're talkin power-play here). But even on the other two - John Mitchell's goal and Brad Richards' goal - the Penguins' defense gave them all the space they wanted in the slot. Untouched, wide open and all the net to work with. Can't afford to do that all the time, and the final score is an indication as to why.
One has to consider the presence of Alex Picard and Robert Bortuzzo. Or is it more the absence of Kris Letang? I'd lean more towards the latter when it came to conceding those two even strength goals, mainly because I don't recall either of those guys being on the ice for those. But I do recall seeing Brooks Orpik get burned on one and Matt Niskanen looking like a pylon on the other.
But hey, you win some, you lose some. Yeah, let's go with that one.
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Was at the game.
Unusually terrible game for Brooks. Two goals actually were on him.
Let's grind these bitches down!
by lostprophetRJX on Nov 29, 2011 11:28 PM EST reply actions
Have to agree...
He looked out of position and lost too often during the game. Even my mom, who knows very little about hockey was able to pick out the fact he was wayyyy out of position on the Gaborik goal. Also, that slashing penalty he took on Callahan close to the end nearly cost them another goal, and gave them less time to counter attack. Nothing you want from your top defensive d-man. I have faith he will bounce back against Washington tho.
by stoopidtom on Nov 30, 2011 12:24 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
picard was a +1 i believe and bortuzzo was even so it can’t be on them….just the first game for a new defense, orpik without his blue line buddy may have contributed. All in all, just a lack of discipline for one period and the rangers made us pay for every mistake we made…oh well, shake it off and get ready for caps
Bit odd that game
Not sure what to say about this game. Glad it was on Vs. as it was a pretty entertaining one. Rangers are playing well at Home and they capitalized on their chances, that’s really about it. No Letang, really hope his only issue is a nasal problem, hurt the PP but offensively the Penguins looked dangerous.
Fun watching these guys with an entire roster back, their ability to come back is legit and was missing all of last season. Nice to see back.
Poor Penalties the last 5-6 minutes of the game, too much room on those shots for the Rags, MAF didn’t have his best game, but all in all maybe have to give credit where its due rather than look for holes in the Pens game.
Best game of the year?
I’m upset our Penguins lost, but overall, that was an amazing game. My sense of it is that tonight, the better team won. Wonderful intensity from start to finish, and both teams should be proud of that. Wish I could have been there. It was also one of the best refereed games I’ve seen all season – very intense, very competitive, mostly fairly called by the refs.
If Letang and Michalek were playing, I think we might have seen a different outcome.
Though I think Dutch71 is on target overall, I actually don’t agree that MAF was off his game tonight. Richards’ goal perhaps, but otherwise, I think he was solid. Dunno about Brooks, but I can never be objective about him, because I’m too big a fan. Kick ’em in their teeth, Brooks!!!
Lastly, I thought Sid was much less visible than I’d expect. Not a strong game for him, and I sincerely hope that’s not any sort of projection.
Thank you sir
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Nice game (which I attended)
Why didn’t Letang play? Is it fallout from that despicable Pacioretty hit?
"To everybody else we're underdogs, but we go in thinking we can handle any team in the NHL."
Brandon Prust, #8, New York Rangers
Yeah I believe the proper term was “nasal injury,” or something similar to that. I mean, the dude has his nose broken so it’s somewhat expected. The fact he had it broken, came back to the game and scored the game-winner against Montreal is grounds enough for me (and I hope many Pens fans) to say, “Take your time and heal up, dude.”
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
Yeah, he's a warrior for sure.
"To everybody else we're underdogs, but we go in thinking we can handle any team in the NHL."
Brandon Prust, #8, New York Rangers
Great game with an unfortunate result, but when you play a good team that can happen. I like that we’re not out of games anymore when we go down two goals. I got way too used to that feeling last year.
We need to pay more attention to Ryan Callahan. He scored nine points against us last year, and he’s got two already this year. It’s not like he’s a scrub either.
on the other two – John Mitchell’s goal and Brad Richards’ goal – the Penguins’ defense gave them all the space they wanted in the slot. Untouched, wide open and all the net to work with.
yep.
w/ the team’s 2 best defensive d-men on the shelf, this was not a surprise.
Apparently
that earful that Tortorella gave the ref worked. We had one power play to their six with two five on threes after that.
Too bad there hasn't always been a DH...then we never would have to hear about this Ruth guy...
Well … the Pens were also playing kind of desperate and sloppy. I don’t recall any particularly egregious missed calls on the Rangers, and the Pens were really not helping themselves with their play. It is usually the case that the team playing from behind is more likely to end up in penalty trouble.
Jagr? I don't even know 'er.
Agree with you. The refs did not decide the game. THE Pens played a sloppy game, and the Rangers took advantage of their opportunities. The Rangers won the game with the only strategy that Torts knew would give them a chance. 1) Get the Pens off their game 2)Take advantage of your opportunities.
The Hockey Dr.
agree that the Rangers earned/deserved the win.
however, did NOT like the call on Kunitz for “boarding” with under 3 minutes left in the game.
1. at best, that was ticky tack. just looked like a bad call though, and
2. it killed any drama
the Pens killed off TWO consecutive 5-on-3s, then…I just don’t see how you make that call
That was the weakest boarding call I’ve ever seen. The guy was hardly a foot from the boards. It was just a quality hit by Koon, the guy was turning slightly and off balance so he got crushed even worse.
Let's grind these bitches down!
by lostprophetRJX on Nov 30, 2011 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
a few notables
First The Rangers look like a true competitor this year. They have a solid defense (fewest goals allowed in the NHL), a bunch of tough guys (most fighting majors in the NHL), and guys who know how to score (Richards, Gaborik, etc.). All of those things combined make them tough to play against. Would love to see the Pens prepare for all of those things the next time they meet.
Second - Great performance by Picard and Bortuzzo. They finished +1 for the night, and they got some pretty tough matchups out there. Happy to know we have them available as a backstop. Shame we couldn’t have Letang on the PP and the PK. Just goes to show how much he brings to the team. Niskanen makes me very, very worried. He doesn’t have the net-front presence I think he needs to have. I guess he makes up for it in his ability to move the puck, but I think he’s our biggest defensive liability (yes, even considering Martin’s iffy +/).
Third – I think we got out-muscled in this one. I don’t recall too many instances where we chipped the puck in and laid a solid hit on the retrieving D man. The Rangers also did a really good job of working in behind our net – something we Pens fans are used to seeing our team doing. I think the Rangers will be our toughest divisional rival this year. Hope we’re more geared up for the next 5 games we have against them.
we also had the worst face-off percentage in NHL history for a single game (not sure if thats 100% accurate, I heard it on the radio, nevertheless we were baaaaaaaad)…bortuzzo played well but I believe his ice time was limited which put a little extra pressure on the rest of the bunch, although I liked the way Martin responded, he seems to be putting it together finally.
all in all, the rangers scare me, especially when they get Marc Staal back…they have a great coach, scoring ability and a lot of grit and defensive talent to go along with a great goalie (kinda sounds like a certain team in western PA)
I don’t like that every time I leave work and the radio cast, and the Penguins are winning, when I tune back in they are usually always losing and going downhill.
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