For the Devils perspective check out In Lou We Trust.
The Penguins needed this one after a tough loss up in Buffalo last night. Lucky for them, Sidney Crosby was ready and willing to answer the call.
Sid registered a point on each of the Penguins' goals tonight - three goals, and one assist for his second career hat trick and sixth goal in three games. Remember earlier in the season when he said he was looking to shoot more? We're definitely seeing that now, as Sid managed three goals on six shots. Not bad at all.
Props to Dany Sabourin as well. He was coming off a rough outing against the Islanders Wednesday night when John Curry came in for relief midway through the second period. Tonight he looked as good as any starter, stopping 29 of New Jersey's 30 shots.
The power play hit on one of the five chances tonight, which while not exactly flattering still presents a slight glimmer of hope. Petr Sykora notched the goal, on the receiving end of a beautiful tape-to-tape pass from Sid to put the Pens up 2-0 in the second. A single PP goal doesn't necessarily cover for the fact that they are still struggling with the man advantage. Frankly they could've gone 4-for-6 tonight and I'd still raise an eyebrow for next game (although I'll gladly take four goals any night). I guess I'm just being picky here, but is it so much to ask for consistency?
Tyler Kennedy is really hustling out there lately. Putting him on the first line with Sid was one of the best moves by Michel Therrien this year. Kennedy definitely had some solid looks tonight but was unable to capitalize on any point blank, spin-o-rama shots. He still dished a secondary assist on Sykora's goal, his ninth of the year.
So the Pens now have a hat trick of players with hat tricks this year, all of whom delivered during the month of November. Staal kicked off the action on November 11 over the Red Wings tallying all three goals in the third period. Malkin got his in a similar fashion Wednesday night against the Islanders and Sid picked up his hat trick three days later.
Who needs a power play anyway?
The good: Dany Sabourin for really stepping it up tonight.
The better: Malkin for making goals happen with diving efforts.
The best: Sid's hat trick, four-point night. Solid.
The unsung hero: The defense as a whole for really clearing that puck out from in front of the cage.
Next game: Wednesday. Rangers. 7:00