Malkin scored on the power play and toe-dragged Mikael Granlund at even-strength less than three minutes later in the second period while picking up primary assists on the Penguins’ first two goals.
Advertisement
The win was their third consecutive over the Wild after sweeping the series for the first time in franchise history last season. It is the first time they have ever beaten the Wild in three straight games.
The news wasn’t all positive for a Pittsburgh outfit that improved to 11-7-0 as defenceman Olli Maatta exited the game midway through the second after Wild forward Nino Niederreiter checked him into the boards near the Minnesota bench. “You heard the players, they take ownership for that, responsibility for it. We as coaches do as well”, said Johnston. The issue I had with it was why was the gate open and was there a push from behind.
That big night against the Wild catapulted the Penguins’ power play, which has a conversion rate of 14.3 percent, all the way to a tie for 27th place in the league rankings before Wednesday’s games.
Heading into last night, the Penguins were a respectable 10-7-0, but they weren’t scoring.
The Penguins, coming off of two losses in a row, also got goals from David Perron and Beau Bennett. They have scored seven goals and 20 points over that span.
Tuesday marked the start of a four game homestand for the Penguins. Minnesota finishes up a four-game road trip on Thursday at Boston…. The Penguins have won 39 games against teams from the Western Conference since the start of the 2013-14 season, tying them with the NY Rangers for most wins against the West over that span. Evgeni Malkin voiced his displeasure after the game by saying the club was “mad at each other”, but clarified his comments two days later to note that the Penguins were frustrated with their inability to get anything going.
MAPLE LEAFS 5, AVALANCHE 1: In Toronto, P.A. Parenteau scored twice as Toronto had four power-play goals and a short-handed score.
Kris Letang picked up a pair of assists tonight for his second multi-point game of the season. “… There’s a certain way we have to play that game and it’s not going to be an easy thing to do”.
“They were all over us that first period”, Minnesota defenceman Ryan Suter said.
Goaltender Franky Palazzese made 21 saves for the Wheeling Nailers (7-5-1-0) in a 4-2 home win against the Evansville IceMen.
Advertisement
Maybe Evgeni Malkin should speak his mind more often. Right winger Phil Kessel pulled up along the left half-wall and fed Malkin, who pulled the puck between his legs as he moved down the slot, lifted a shot inside the right post.
