Grabovski Spoils Matt Niskanen's Party: Pens Lose to Leafs 3-2 in OT

by FrankD on Mar 2, 2011 10:05 PM EST in Game Recaps

Leafs Blog: Pension Plan Puppets

Matt Niskanen finally registered his first point as a Penguin on a solid shot from the point that slipped past Toronto's James Reimer early in the first. He later added a sweet break-out assist to Chris Conner early in the second to give the Pens a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately Pittsburgh's scoring ended there, and it was only a matter of time before Mikhail Grabovski shot the Pens down in OT by the final of 3-2.

Bright side. Keep looking on the bright side. The Pens still managed one point, right? James Neal remains the lone "new guy" to pick up a point since coming on board with the black and gold but his shots are right there. Even if it didn't register on the score sheet, he played a pretty solid game.

Also worth mentioning for Niskanen, outside of the aforementioned offensive contributions, is his defensive side. Tonight he led the Pens with six hits and also practiced what Pierre McGuire would dub "an active stick" in the Penguins' own zone. A few Toronto attacks were spoiled courtesy of Niskanen and two shots failed to even get through thanks to his willingness to throw himself in front of the puck. Couldn't have asked for a better game from a d-man.

As for the rest of the team, you could definitely ask for some better contributions. I liked the hustle from Matt Cooke even if he didn't register a shot on goal. The same pat on the back applies to Zbynek Michalek and Paul Martin, two guys who played over 20 minutes and focused on shutting down the Leafs, which is to say they did their jobs.

The final goal that iced this in overtime was a pretty nifty play. On one hand it's hard to figure out how Grabovski could even get that wide open in front of the net. But when you look back on it and see two guys double up on Dion Phaneuf as he carried the puck in, you can more or less see how the play orchestrated itself into a prime scoring opportunity. No reason to crash both guys on a d-man carrying the puck in like that. But in doing so, it opened up the other side of the ice and produced a solid exhibition of on-mark passing and an even stronger finish. Such is the life, I suppose.

Again, Pens get a point, even if it does ultimately translate to improving four points in the standings over the last four games. Tonight's loss marks the Pens' seventh game that ended in overtime, dropping their OT record to 3-4. If you combine that with the team's 6-3 shootout record, the Pens are 9-7 in post-regulation play.

Next game is Friday against the Devils.

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A bad loss

The Pens should have won this game. But….

s.zielinski

by steve_z on Mar 2, 2011 10:11 PM EST reply actions

…but they’ll save the wins for the postseason? yeah, I was thinking the same.

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by FrankD on Mar 2, 2011 10:15 PM EST up reply actions

I had no idea that was how things worked until this year.

by illbottleya on Mar 3, 2011 9:34 AM EST up reply actions

The Pens as a whole played a good game. The goal in overtime came as a result of 2 new guys in the lineup not knowing where to be. Niskanen and Staal were playing man-to-man (which is how the Pens usually play) and Neal feel off into a zone and left Grabovski wide open in front of the net. Just a simple communication issue that should have been cleared up before they got on the ice.

by StripesForLife on Mar 2, 2011 10:15 PM EST reply actions

well

you guys got a point and donated the extra one to our playoff push. So thank you! :)

Certified Grabbo lover. GET WELL SOON, SID
The universe moves depending on where Sidney Crosby is on the ice - IHeartPenguins
"I'm glad we've got the best fans in the league." - Tomas Kaberle on Leaf fans

by Leafer87 on Mar 2, 2011 10:30 PM EST reply actions

Good deal all away around

Both teams got three out of a possible four points in the two games so it was a productive short series for each team. We’ll take it.

Proud fan of Pittsburgh's professional sports teams and the Pirates too.

by Black&GoldTrain on Mar 2, 2011 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

"Look at Lemieux! Oh my goodness, what a goal, what a move! Oh baby!" - Bob Cole

Twitter @marcy8771

by GoPenguins on Mar 2, 2011 10:39 PM EST reply actions

Ugh, these OT losses are brutal! It’s good to hear the Neal is playing well, at least, even if not putting some points up. That’s a bit relieving.

Still, it would be nice to see some wins and more than just two goals in a game. OFFENSE, WHERE ARE YOU?!?!

by iomor27 on Mar 2, 2011 10:56 PM EST reply actions

sitting in the press box

"Look at Lemieux! Oh my goodness, what a goal, what a move! Oh baby!" - Bob Cole

Twitter @marcy8771

by GoPenguins on Mar 2, 2011 10:58 PM EST up reply actions

Solid all-around game for Nikasen

Obviously Nikasen contributed offensively but as was mentioned in the article he played a very good defensive game and it suprised me to see that he led the Pens in hits. Reading about him it seemed like his defensive game was his weakness but tonight I thought he was the Pens best player out there.

Disappointed about losing but anytime you get a point on the road it’s a good thing. Especially when the games are way more important for the opponent who is fighting for a playoff berth. It’s strange scheduling quirk to see a team play consecutive games on the road against the same team. Now lets go get NJ.

Proud fan of Pittsburgh's professional sports teams and the Pirates too.

by Black&GoldTrain on Mar 2, 2011 10:59 PM EST reply actions

*Niskanen

Proud fan of Pittsburgh's professional sports teams and the Pirates too.

by Black&GoldTrain on Mar 2, 2011 11:00 PM EST up reply actions

In the third period when the Pens were holding on to the lead, the forwards, did not help the defense clear the zone. This has been a problem in the last month or so, between all the lineup changes and the call-ups. DB will address it I’m sure. Also agree with above comment of the overtime positioning.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Mar 2, 2011 11:06 PM EST reply actions

I feel like the Pens always get a hard working contribution from Matt Cooke. It’s safe to say that (IMO) he’s one of the few I trust to actually work hard each and every game.

"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto

by blackjackfishtaco on Mar 2, 2011 11:45 PM EST reply actions

When he first received the ‘A’ I was thinking, “What? How/Why?” But you’re definitely right. That’s it right there.

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by FrankD on Mar 3, 2011 12:18 AM EST up reply actions

Yup. He never takes a game off. Always everything he has every game. It gets him into trouble at times, but there is no denying that his heart and effot are there with every game

by SuMac on Mar 3, 2011 12:27 AM EST up reply actions

Naturally the reaction that everyone else gave was that the Penguins were a classless organization for giving Cooke the A. Forgetting the fact that the A is about leadership and work ethic, not clean play.

"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto

by blackjackfishtaco on Mar 3, 2011 9:03 AM EST up reply actions

I keep wanting to write a conspiracy theory post that..

Bylsma gave Cooke the A as a way of sticking it to the NHL for not suspending/fining the players that hurt Crosby..

But I just can’t make myself do it… even in a joking manner.

There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...

by Stros Bro on Mar 3, 2011 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

Giussepe is on it :)

by AronV on Mar 3, 2011 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

Ugh. I was checking the game all night at work via Blackberry and allthough, I didn’t watch the actual game, I received the sense that we should have won. Just a feeling…..

I heard Kovalev blocked a shot? Wow! You know hes motivated when!

All in all, ya, we got a point and it was against a team fighting for a playoff spot, a team that has been playing well as of late so we should be happy, I guess.

Of course I’m really NOT! Go Pens go!

"Have you ever seen such finesse?"

by GiuseppeD on Mar 3, 2011 12:02 AM EST reply actions

Actually,

Kovalev blocked TWO. One of Schenn’s and one of Gunnarsson’s.

Oh, you better believe that's a paddling.

by JP Nikota on Mar 3, 2011 12:52 AM EST up reply actions

The good news of the night is that Bylsma said that Crosby was showing signs of improvement and had regained a “spring to his step”………oh, and Conner is now 2 for 24 :).

by rlsuth on Mar 3, 2011 12:15 AM EST reply actions

Losses are so much harder to take when you feel you should have won. I agree with everything you wrote, Frank. Now, if only Neal can move from right there to in there….in the net….we’ll be in a much better position. Scoring, or lack thereof, is killing us.

by SuMac on Mar 3, 2011 12:31 AM EST reply actions

Crosby with Neal on his wing is going to be scary. If you guys can sign Kovalev for a small rebound contract, he could make for some good secondary scoring. He looked good tonight.

Oh, you better believe that's a paddling.

by JP Nikota on Mar 3, 2011 12:54 AM EST up reply actions

"Finally"?

Niskanen’s only played three games for you, and he’s got all of 6 points this year!

He did have a good game, though. He was Pierre’s “Monster” tonight, and Pierre was gushing about his work shutting down Phil Kessel. I mean, Kessel still got a goal and an assist, but he had been pretty well covered throughout the game. He only got the chance to really wheel on a couple of occasions.

Oh, you better believe that's a paddling.

by JP Nikota on Mar 3, 2011 12:43 AM EST reply actions

As for the OT goal, Phaneuf had dished the puck off to Gunnarsson, who passed to Kessel, who then passed to Grabovski, so you’d think that Staal and (I think it was) Neal would have had time to pick up another man. To be fair, Dion was looking dangerous around the end of the 3rd, and was drawing a lot of attention.

I think what really threw them was the fact that while Phaneuf delayed in the Pens’ end, Tyler Bozak (who had been out with Kessel to start the OT period) had gone off for a line change, and Grabbo may have joined the play late.

Oh, you better believe that's a paddling.

by JP Nikota on Mar 3, 2011 12:47 AM EST up reply actions

Not “finally” as if saying about time, but more like “now that that’s out of the way…”

If that makes sense at all. Haha

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by FrankD on Mar 3, 2011 1:26 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I missed his first few games

But he really made some good passes last night. Hopefully that keeps happening.

by illbottleya on Mar 3, 2011 9:18 AM EST up reply actions

I'm so happy..

for Nisky!! Glad he seems to be turning it around some here for ya’ll!

by EyesOfDallas on Mar 3, 2011 1:14 AM EST reply actions

Overall not a bad game, but one the Pens should’ve won by capitalizing on some of the pressure they put on, especially in the second.

Some thoughts:
- the Good – as noticed by all it was Matt Niskanen. If he can maintain a similar level of play it would make Shero look like an absolute genius for getting him and Neal for Goose.

- the Bad – Kris Letang definitely didn’t have one of his best games. He was trying to do a lot, maybe too much, and playing left and right and with different partners seemed to put him a bit off focus. Makes you appreciate that much more the value of having Orpik as his D partner.

- the Ugly (or Odd) – Was it only me, or did you also notice that the Pens’ players were bumping into each other all the time. I can’t recall any game like this… counted 5 or 6 different collisions between our own skaters. When it was Kovalev and Jeffrey it was explainable, but then it was Cooke and Dupuis and also other not-new Penguins… I just found it very strange and a bit frustrating.

You have to see it for yourself...

by Bla Razor on Mar 3, 2011 6:12 AM EST reply actions

Yes, definitely noticed the bumping. I heard several shouts of “what the hell” coming from the other Pens fan in the room.

.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 3, 2011 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

Just gonna throw it out there:

I’m really not convinced that Ben Lovejoy is the solution at 6D. Obviously, he’s going to get his chance while Orpik’s out, but I feel a lot more comfortable with Engelland/Niskanen as the third pairing. I can’t count how many times this season Lovejoy’s been out of position and it’s led to a goal or at least a glorious scoring chance.

I don’t mean to bash the guy, because he’s a good kid and he plays hard. And maybe it’s because he hasn’t gotten the regular minutes he needs. But the Pens have another good kid in Simon Despres who’ll be in Pittsburgh two seasons from now.

Just my take. Feel free to flame me for it. =)

When you win 13 titles, you can wear the title belt. Until then, Aaron Rodgers will continue to do so.

by docciavelli on Mar 3, 2011 9:36 AM EST reply actions

no flaming here

i agree, which was why I was really hoping Shero would grab somebody deadline day. Hopefully the more minutes he plays, the comfortable he gets, but he seems lost a good chunk of the time out there.

by 18-19-21 lineofthecentury on Mar 3, 2011 9:41 AM EST up reply actions

Well, I’m glad Shero didn’t make a move for another D, simply because the Pens would be giving up too much. Believe me, Dennis Wideman wouldn’t do a hell of a lot better. If it’s a choice between (Lovejoy, a 3rd round pick and Kevin Veilleux) v. (Dennis Wideman), I go with the former.

I’m just looking at this from the perspective of when Orpik comes back—which two of Lovejoy-Engelland-Niskanen would you rather have for your third pairing? After last night’s coming out party for Niskanen, I’m pretty happy with him filling in the Goligoski hole. And it makes more sense to pair him with a bigger, more physical guy in Engelland.

But I’m not Todd Reirden.

When you win 13 titles, you can wear the title belt. Until then, Aaron Rodgers will continue to do so.

by docciavelli on Mar 3, 2011 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

Absolutely agree with your post. Lovejoy will probably be the odd man out. Was just hoping for an insurance policy of sorts, but the price you quoted is way too high. We can suffer with what we’ve got and hopefully #44 will be back healthy and rarin’ to go.

by 18-19-21 lineofthecentury on Mar 3, 2011 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

(Lovejoy, a 3rd round pick and Kevin Veilleux) v. (Dennis Wideman), I go with the former.

No way. Wideman is playing all three phases and devouring minutes. Hauswirth is a very, very long shot to ever see the NHL (23 years old and in the ECHL, chances don’t look great), a 3rd is something, but again, it’s unlikely to yield an actual NHL player.

If Wideman can take 25:00 a night in the NHL, he’s a much more valuable asset than the sum total of what you just listed.

"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box

by Knee high to a duck on Mar 4, 2011 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

I also thought Engelland had a terrific game last night.

by Hatt the Moople on Mar 3, 2011 7:43 PM EST up reply actions

Tough Loss

It looks like some of the Pens were just….lazy. Lack of effort.
And too many stupid stupid lazy penalities.
This team really needs discipline!
But, we still got 1 point. That’s better then 0.

Let’s Go Pens!

Cheers for the Pens! Cheers for the Canucks!
Crosby for Hart.......Letang for Norris.........Keslord for Selke
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by PensFanInDenver on Mar 3, 2011 11:34 AM EST reply actions

And Up Next

The surging Devils and a red-hot Boston Bruins team.
Nothing is easy here on out.

by PensFanInDenver on Mar 3, 2011 11:47 AM EST reply actions

Yeah this weekend has me worried. Devils weren’t a problem whatsoever before, but now they’re real hot and Lemaire, destroyer of Penguins Fans’ souls, is back.

And Boston! Let’s please not let them get 3 goals in a nanosecond again.

by illbottleya on Mar 3, 2011 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

I will cheer for Boston

If the Pens get knocked out of the playoffs.
Boston will want to redeem themselves from last year’s nightmare.

by PensFanInDenver on Mar 3, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

Can someone tell me ...

… what the (basic) lines were? I realize they may have been through the blender a bit, but I missed most of the game and would kind of like to get a sense of how the forwards were arranged this time out.

Ain't that the truth!

by PopRocks on Mar 3, 2011 1:11 PM EST reply actions