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Bruins/Penguins Recap: Pittsburgh opens up floodgates, win 5-1

The first clash of the day between Boston and Pittsburgh sports is won by PA. Conor Sheary gets 2 goals, 1 assist and Sidney Crosby adds 3 points as well in the big win. See all the highlights here.

By Hooks Orpik
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pregame

The Penguins go with the same exact lineup as Friday night, as to be expected coming off a 7-1 win. This is good news too, since Scott Wilson left the game injured in the 3rd period last game but is able to play again today.

1st period...kinda

With 6:26 left in the first period, the Pens and Bruins players are sent to the locker-room as the ice in front of the Pittsburgh bench is jacked up and needs some attention. An early "intermission" is needed and the teams basically tack on the next 26:26 before the the second break.

Shots were 11-3 to that point in favor of Pittsburgh, and the early break seemed to be in the favor of Boston to be able to regroup a little quicker than normal.

2nd period

Sidney Crosby makes a great play with his speed to start a 2-on-1, then lofts a beautiful saucer pass to Bryan Rust. Rust, for his part is able to shoot the puck just as soon as the puck hits the ice. Wonderful skill on both ends of the play to make it 1-0 Pens.

The first line strikes again, Crosby keeps a play alive from his knees Bryan, Rust gains control of the puck and fires it pinball style off the wall. Conor Sheary pops up in the right time and is able to bank it past Tuukka Rask and in the net. 2-0.

Rask has to leave the game shortly after, this goal (where he does spin around in a weird way and fall too) which is a fortunate break for the Pens since Rask traditionally is very, very good against Pittsburgh. And no disrespect to backup Zane Macintyre but he's obviously no Rask.

The B's get a goal, David Krejci fires a puck low and past Murray far-side. 2-1.

Matt Murray makes a key breakaway save on David Backes to keep the score 2-1.

3rd period

Pittsburgh busts the game open with 3 goals in 2:57. Patric Hornqvist gets the goal party started with his 11th of the year, from where else but right in front of the net. Nice work by Chad Ruhwedel to get the point-shot through traffic. 3-1.

Let's make it 4-1 with the 1st line getting their collective third goal of the net, and the second for game for Sheary. A sublime little bump pass by Rust, and Crosby doesn't get any point on the goal, but his zone exit and entry is what started the whole sequence.

Crosby gets on the board on the power play to make it 5-1, because why not? Phil Kessel feathers over a beauty of a pass, and Sid just has to collect it and go backhand to tuck in a puck past poor, poor Zane Macintryre.

Patrice Bergeron on a 2-on-0 but Murray denies him.

Some Thoughts

  • Sheary might be the hottest player in the NHL right now with 6 goals and 3 assists in his last 4 games (and three 2-goal games in the stretch). Somehow he's popping up right in front of the net, completely unchecked at just the right time. Thing of beauty.
  • After a few different games of one line or another being dominant, today was certainly the 1st line's chance to put their stamp on the game. 3 ES goals and one more for their leader on the PP.
  • Murray was really good. 3rd start in a row, too. His stop on Krejci while the game was 2-1, to keep the game 2-1 looks huge in retrospect. That's the type of high danger stop he makes to help his own cause and enable the team an easier time.
  • Murray ended up with 44 saves on 45 shots, making highlight reel save with 1:58 left on Krejci. Maybe one of the finest games of the season for him.
  • Pens are now 18-0-0 this season when carrying a lead after 40 minutes.
  • Pens also up to 12 home wins in a row and 20-2-2 overall at home this year.
  • With 3 points (1g+2a) tonight, Crosby inches to 992 points in his career if you're on milestone watch.
  • Jake Guentzel made a "finish your check" type play on Torey Krug behind the net that ended up pretty nasty. Luckily Krug would return to the game, no penalty really so hopefully no harm, no foul for him moving forward.

Pens are just in such a groove right now, scoring goals in bunches and getting key goaltending when they need it. On top of all that, they're performing this way without the services of their top pair of defensemen, including the practically irreplaceable Kris Letang, who's absence in the past has ground the offense to a halt. That's not the case right now, and hopefully keeps rolling on Tuesday at home (where the Pens are nearly unbeatable) and against St. Louis (a team that can't seem to keep the puck out of their own net to save their lives right now). Go Pens, go Steelers, Boston sucks.

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