Penguins Better but Pitchforked by Devils

The Penguins endured a tough loss to Metro foe New Jersey last night at PPG Paints Arena by a 4-2 count. Yet despite the defeat…our fourth in a row…there were some positives. Overall, our process was good and I was pleased with our effort. A hollow victory, perhaps, but a step in the right direction and a far cry from the previous post-holiday debacles.

Indeed, at the outset the Penguins employed the disciplined, patient style that served as the bedrock for their 15-3-3 run. No easy feat against a fast, young and talented Devils squad.

Our patience paid off at 14:26 of the opening period. Evgeni Malkin alertly stole the puck from Dougie Hamilton high in our zone, burst up ice on a breakaway and labelled a three-iron bank shot under the far post and past Vitek Vanecek. Literally a 10-bell goal if there ever was one.

At the opposite end of the rink, Tristan Jarry made 11 first-period saves, including two big stops on Miles Wood in the final minute to preserve our one-goal lead.

If the opening frame was an ode to buttoned-down hockey, the second period was…well…I’m not sure exactly how to describe it.

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