Prospects Challenge: Thoughts on Pens’ win over Ottawa

Game No. 2 of the Prospects Challenge is another win for Pittsburgh

It was pre-preseason but the Penguins and Ottawa Senators prospects engaged in a heated battle on Saturday afternoon. Pittsburgh previously beat the Boston team 6-3 on Friday in a game that had a couple of hits but almost none of the physicality and post-whistle pushing, shoving, punching and yelling that the Pens and Sens got into on Saturday.

Perhaps that was to be expected, Ottawa was undoubtedly looking to respond and show some emotion and pride following a 9-1 loss yesterday to New Jersey. The Sens’ youngsters were up to the task to show up and play with emotion today, but the Pens won a spirited 4-2 contest over them in matinee action.

Here were the lines for both team. Pittsburgh used the same players on the top two lines and made a few changes down the lineup.

After a quiet first period, the action exploded in the second. The Pens scored three goals — all their scoring until sealing the deal with an empty netter late in the third. Fittingly, it was Vasily Ponomarev on the power play for what would be the eventual game winning goal.

Jack Beck, Isaac Belliveau and Avery Hayes (EN) also found the scoresheet.

Pittsburgh’s defense was again strong, allowing only 18 total shots today after giving up 17 yesterday. Sergei Murashov played the whole game today, stopping 16 for the victory.

Recent second round pick Harrison Brunicke had another strong day and is starting to attract attention because of it.

As gushed over here yesterday, Brunicke’s skating is amazing. He tends to still have some junior hockey tendencies in him when skating on the rush and not utilizing options as much as he could. That works if you’re Quinn Hughes or 2014 Erik Karlsson but might need some adjusting as Brunicke raises through the levels. He’s got a ways to go but it’s been a tremendous first impression so far. At 18, he’s still very young and playing his way up towards Team Canada WJC recognition would be a wonderful development. The Pens are going to need to turn prospects into impact-making NHL caliber players, and right now Brunicke might have as bright a future as anyone they brought to Buffalo if he can keep building on his game.

Otherwise, it was about as expected. Ponomarev and Tristan Broz were good again. Rutger McGroarty had a quieter game than Friday but his presence in both ends setup Belliveau’s goal.

Murashov didn’t see a lot of work but was active, including a sequence where he lost his stick but kept the puck in front of him.

The Penguins will play one more up in Buffalo on Monday (5:00pm) against the Sabres and then it’s back to Pittsburgh to re-join the veterans for NHL camp next week.