Darkstone42
Oh.
It only took 38 shots, and the third in like ten seconds on the powerplay, but Kunitz pulls this game even with a powerplay marker on the rebound from Crosby's one-timer.
I'll take it, we should've gotten a few past Schneider throughout the game. Glad we got it done when it counted most. Props to the Pens, courageous effort tonight.
Schneider's in the zone right now. Has been for a decent stretch. He's got a .940 save percentage in January, only given up more than 3 goals once, and only posted an in-game save percentage under .933 once. This was also his second 40-save game this month.
We beat him basically as much as he was going to allow us to the way he's been playing, but the Pens did exactly what you do to a hot goalie: kept the pressure on, fired shots from every angle, and got to the front of the net. And that's why we won despite his performance, because his performance was the only reason that game wasn't a blowout.
Actually, he was kind of fun to watch (if frustrating) tonight. Lots of good, textbook positional goaltending, made a lot of saves simply by being in a good spot for the puck to run into him, and his anticipation was outstanding, highlighted by a save he made on Letang on a loose puck that trickled almost randomly to him. Schneider stayed focused on the puck and figured out where it was going before it go there. He made what would usually be a very difficult save rather easily just by reading the play well. The save he made to rob Crosby on his redirect was similar, read the pass early and got right over to Crosby's stick, basically taking away the entire net before the puck even got there. Those kinds of plays, and the way he handled shots through traffic, are really good indications that a goalie is in the zone.
I think it would have been a disaster if the Pens didn't win that game, though. To outplay an opponent that much and not come away with the W can be devastating. Glad they found a way to beat Schneider twice.
Downie just couldn't help being stupid after a penalty call. The spoiled brat routine is starting to get old. He's more of a liability than an asset out there at times.I went to the bathroom, and when I came back, the Devils were on a 5-on-3 powerplay.