Dallas scored on two of five power plays. “I just have to learn from this game”.
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Before the game, Crosby noted that the Stars routinely get strong starts on home ice, and that the Penguins had to be prepared for it. Janmark pulled the trigger on a shot that slid through the five hole of Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who was sliding to his right to adjust to the play.
Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski picked up the primary assist on the power-play goal and Niemi was credited with the secondary helper, his second of the game.
“We got to find ways to score goals whether it’s the power play chipping in or finding ways in front”, Crosby said.
“It’s not the result we were looking for as a team”, he said. Pittsburgh was 0 for 3 on the power play. In addition to Niemi’s play, rookie Mattias Janmark scored on his first shot on goal, and winger Ales Hemsky showed no rust after hip surgery, tallying a goal and an assist. His shot from the top of the right faceoff circle went in over Fleury’s right shoulder. Benn received a minor penalty. Dallas went into the intermission having a 15-23 shots disadvantage, but they had the advantage where it really counts with a 2-0 lead.
Seven seconds into the Stars’ fourth power play of the third period, Benn tipped in Jason Spezza’s shot from the right point. “I was pretty nervous in the beginning”.
Niemi robbed Kessel again at the far post with less than a minute remaining as the Penguins had an extra attacker. “And I think I have to be patient in this process because I think it’s not easy to change a few habits you have. He didn’t leave a lot of loose rebounds there”, Penguins coach Mike Johnston said. Fleury left the ice with 2:45 remaining in regulation. Stars D Patrik Nemeth, D Jamie Oleksiak and C Colton Sceviour were scratched….
Their efforts in the first period alone proved their worth as well as their chemistry together on a line and it could be indicative of what’s to come. They scored first when Janmark skated down the slot, took a pass from Hemsky and shot between Fleury’s legs.
Dallas Stars’ Jamie Benn (14) holds back Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) as linesman Shane Heyer (55) attempts to gain control of players trying to fight in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, October 8, 2015, in Dallas.
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Phil Kessel, Sergei Plotnikov Nick Bonino, Matt Cullen and 18 year old Daniel Sprong all make their debuts in a Penguins jersey.
