{"id":783600,"date":"2018-01-09T20:44:13","date_gmt":"2018-01-10T00:44:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thesportsdaily.com\/?p=783600"},"modified":"2018-04-07T17:40:32","modified_gmt":"2018-04-07T21:40:32","slug":"bye-week-biz-beating-boston-and-winter-classic-musings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesportsdaily.com\/news\/bye-week-biz-beating-boston-and-winter-classic-musings\/","title":{"rendered":"Bye week biz: Beating Boston and Winter Classic musings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Bye<\/p>\n

The Penguins earned a much-needed win Sunday night, 6-5 in overtime at home against Boston, resulting in their first two-game win streak in over a month. Evgeni Malkin dropped the anvil in OT after he and Kessel sliced through the Bruins zone like two runaway bandsaws.<\/p>\n

Two other game-changing plays stood out:<\/p>\n

Crosby’s vision:<\/strong><\/em><\/span> After scoring three straight goals in the first to take a two-goal lead, the Penguins gave it all back in the second when Boston scored four straight to take a 5-3 advantage. Late in the frame, Charlie McAvoy went to the box for jobbing Daniel Sprong and with time winding down in the period, Sidney Crosby mapped out exactly what he wanted to do on the power play in a matter of seconds, then made it happen in the way that only Crosby does.<\/p>\n

\"ByeIt was suggested last night on Penguins Radio that Crosby may have seen Malkin’s reflection in the corner glass before making the no-look backhand pass.<\/p>\n

I suggested Crosby and Malkin communicate by telepathy.<\/p>\n

Pensblog alumnus and TheAthletic Pittsburgh<\/em> analyst Jesse gave the real explanation, noting Crosby’s subtle head-turn before moving into the corner to get the puck.<\/p>\n

\n

Look at this clip. Seriously. Look at it. <\/p>\n

Watch Crosby from the start. He identifies where Malkin is seconds before he's even involved in the puck battle so he can no-look this pass right to him. He's three steps ahead of everyone. https:\/\/t.co\/U7Mdw96URh<\/a><\/p>\n

— Jesse Marshall (@jmarshfof) January 8, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n