The Penguins topple the top team in the West, a huge win for the Penguins psyche and confidence. The first goal wasn't scored until 18 minutes and 26 seconds into the 2nd period. It was a bounce off of Rob Blake's stick between Brian Boucher's pads. Bill Thomas got the goal after he threw it from behind the net in an attempt to hit Staal or Satan (both driving to the net), and got the deflection back through the five hole. It was Thomas' first goal as a Penguin, and it's a relief to see him get that goal. Miroslav Satan started the break by finishing his check on Rob Blake at the point in the Penguin's zone then retrieving and maneuvering the puck to the Shark's zone and flipping it up to Thomas in the middle making it 1-0 Penguins after 2 periods.
Pavelski tied the game at one with 8:53 left in the 3rd. Dan Boyle wheeled around the right wing side, behind the net and tossed it to the circle, the puck got deflected in front and then popped out of the pile right to Pavelski's blade with an open net from the left wing.
Marc-Andre Fleury and Brian Boucher were fantastic. They were the reason this game was only 2-1 and not 7-6. Fleury made 36 saves, Boucher 35. Each team played fantastic hockey but these guys really stole the show.
In the end, the game was decided on a shootout and the lone goal came in the third round off the stick of Sidney Crosby. Quickly deking and going five-hole all in one continuous motion, the puck didn't stay still for a full 2 seconds and Boucher, not surprisingly, was beaten easily. Dan Boyle then tried his luck and feigned a shot, took it to the backhand, but was denied by the seemingly Stretch-Armstrong-like right pad of Fleury doing the splits.
Over the past games you can notice a trend of some decent scoring by the Penguins, but still playing under .500 because of the struggles in net. Fleury seems to have found his groove lately and really looks like he's ready to take-off down the stretch, his focus is great right now, and the Penguins need this more than ever. With the return of Gonchar and the surgence of play in net by Fleury, the Penguins should be gearing up for a play-off run. However, it's not going to come easy, the next 11 of 14 games are on the road for the Penguins.
NHL.com Recap
NHL.com Boxscore
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