The theme in this game was the Penguins could be the first team since the 19-whatever Red Wings to go 3-0 as defending Cup champs, so you basically knew they were going to lose right out of the gate.
Gotta start this by saying that ol’ Double-J is all class with the anthems. If you don’t get jammed up when Jeff Jimerson belts out the Star Spangled Banner, get real. You probably think Iggy Azalea is good at freestyling.
FIRST PERIOD
Both teams exchanged chances early and some good hockey was played until the parades to the penalty box started.
The Avalanche came out strong for a paltry few minutes, but the Penguins eventually started to get the train rolling. Evgeni Malkin took a high stick to the face that went uncalled. As he went to the locker-room for some dental repair, Mike Sullivan was busy planting the seeds of redemption.
You have to give Sullivan the credit for the makeup call. He got in the officials heads in a classic Sullivan fashion.
The Penguins got their power-play handed to them on a silver platter. Mike Sullivan gripes, Phil Kessel snipes. How’s that for a hot 16? Eat your heart out, Azalea.
The second goal came shortly after as the Penguins continued to pile on the shot attempts. After a quick dump in, all three of the Penguin forwards clogged up the wall and their incessant pressure caused a turnover. Using his renown Dad Strength, Matt Cullen banged him a rebound in front to give the Penguins a 2-0 lead.
Unfortunately for the Penguins, there’s a reason they say a 2-0 lead is the worst lead in hockey.
The Penalty bug paid a visit to the Penguins as the first period expired. The ghost of Jarome Iginla score from the top left side of the ice (pay attention, this becomes a recurring theme here.)
Shortly after that, Patrick Wiercioch scored from an eerily similar position. MAF was screened for both goals, so it’s whatevs. Let’s not get the goaltender controversy media train running just yet.
SECOND PERIOD
The Penguins annihilated the Avalanche in shot-attempts in the 2nd period by a 21-12 clip. The Av’s only chance came on a disallowed goal for a distinct kicking motion.
The rest of the period was a bunch of shot-attempts with nothing doing for the Penguins.
THIRD PERIOD
You almost thought that the Penguins took the lead in this one when Evgeni Malkin blasted a shot past Pickard, but after video replay, they disallowed the goal because Malkin made contact with Pikard’s glove three seconds before he shot the puck into the net or something like that.
The Penguins had their moment in the sun in the third period when they started dominating possession in the offensive zone. This lead to a power-play opportunity.
Trevor Daley, who was traded for Rob Scuderi if you can believe that, cashed in for the Penguins with an absolute bomb from the point. Just when you thought everything was coming up Milhouse, the Penguins went to the well one time too many.
Reality of the situation is that six penalties is way too many penalties.
Landeskog city on the power-play. Tied game. See you in OT.
OVERTIME
22 seconds long. Landeskog city part 2. See you in game four.
TAKEAWAYS:
- Pens dominated this game overall and didn’t have the puck luck to put the Av’s away
- Can’t even be mad at MAF tonight. Made some big saves. Unfortunately he couldn’t see through screens for half the game.
- Elite performance by Matt Cullen tonight. 17 shot attempts for, six against. That whole line was dominant.
- HBK line got bottled up big time in this one.
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