Bam. BAM.
Emerging from their corner at the opening bell last night, the Penguins got tagged right on the kisser with the ol’ one-two. Scarcely five minutes into their Metro Division tilt with Carolina at the CONSOL, the hosts were down by a pair and reeling on the canvas.
They didn’t stay down for long.
Paced by a two-goal effort from Sidney Crosby and the bend-but-not-break goaltending of rookie Matt Murray (31 saves), the Pens leapt off the deck to blast the Hurricanes, 4-2, for their fourth win in a row.
Sid’s first goal was vintage No. 87. Near the 14-minute mark the Pens’ captain scooped up a loose puck along the wall and bulled past ‘Canes defenseman Jaccob Slavin. Then he swerved sharply to the net, shrugged off big Ron Hainsey and slipped a backhander past goalie Eddie Lack.
The goal supercharged the locals. They proceeded to pound Lack with 22 first-period shots on the way to a season-high 48.
“We didn’t have a great start, but that kind of, I think, sparked our level of desperation, with those mistakes,” Crosby said. “That’s got to be there every night.”
Midway through the second period the Pens evened the score, thanks to a bit of good old St. Patty’s Day puck luck. Ian Cole cut into the slot, but partially fanned on an attempted shot. The wayward rubber found the skate of Carl Hagelin, who guided it to linemate Phil Kessel streaking in through the back door. Kessel zipped the puck into a yawning net for his 21st goal of the campaign.
Thanks to Crosby, there’d be no letup. With two minutes left in the frame Sid struck with breathtaking precision, taking a knee to steer a made-to-order shot/pass from Cole past the bewildered Lack.
Nick Bonino added some third-period insurance, tapping home a pretty cross-crease feed from Kessel. Displaying uncommon coolness and poise, Murray rebounded from a wobbly start to earn his fourth NHL win.
While the victory truly was a total team effort—each black-and-gold skater had at least one shot on goal—Crosby’s performance stood out. A force all over the ice, Sid unleashed five shots on goal and won 58 percent of his draws while extending his current points streak to 10 games (six goals and 10 assists).
“I think Sid’s playing at both ends of the rink right now for us,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He has for a long time. Sometimes he plays against the top line and we go power against power, and he’s every bit as good in our end as he is in the offensive side of the rink. I think because he’s such a dynamic player offensively, no one really talks about his play away from the puck.”
Perhaps more importantly, he’s matured into the team’s unquestioned leader. Its heart and soul. Indeed, the hard times earlier this season seem to have toughened him and strengthened his resolve.
Sid’s fire and determination are palpable. You can see it in his eyes. In the way he drives to the net and battles through traffic. Passion literally oozing from every pore.
A good thing, heading into this weekend’s crucial showdowns with Philly and Washington.
Go Flyers!