Penguins Jump On Fragile Blue Jackets, Stretch Winning Streak To 9

Marc-Andre Fleury has won 8 in a row (LMatthew/Wikimedia)

COLUMBUS -  It only took 23 seconds to reignite the budding intraconference rivalry between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the neighboring Pittsburgh Penguins.

Columbus’ Rick Nash sent Brooks Orpik flying headfirst into the boards and tempers began to flare; a flashback to the September 25 preseason battle between the two teams that featured a rare Nash vs. Evgeni Malkin fight, among others.

The aggressive start by the Blue Jackets didn’t surprise Penguins defenseman Paul Martin. “We knew they were going to come out hard and they did,” Martin said.  “They played well early.”

What neither team expected was how quickly the game would be over – for all intents and purposes.  Malkin missed the contest with a knee injury for the Penguins, but on this night his wizardry with the puck wasn’t needed.  Pittsburgh put together their best offensive performance of the season by scoring four times in the first period on their way to a 7-2 rout of the Blue Jackets Saturday night.

When a redirected shot by Martin squeaked through the pads of Columbus goalie Steve Mason just over six minutes into the game, the crowd of 19,143 erupted just as you’d expect them to…if the game was played in Pittsburgh.

Thousands of fans made the 185-mile trek from Pennsylvania to support the Penguins, a team that’s steamrolling its way through the league like it did in the spring of 2009 on their way to a Stanley Cup.  Saturday night’s victory extended the Penguins’ winning streak to nine games and leaves them 11-0-1 in 12 games since a disastrous third period collapse against Boston nearly a month ago.

It’s hard to argue any team is hotter than the Penguins, and it’s hard to argue any player in the NHL is playing as well as captain Sidney Crosby.  Crosby was the league’s First Star of the month of November, and has somehow picked up his scoring pace with the turn of the calendar, grabbing another pair of goals on Saturday.

Even early season powerplay struggles seem like a distant memory as the Penguins were clicking again with the man-advantage, going 3-for-4 on the night.  Head Coach Dan Bylsma said outshooting the Blue Jackets 16-2 in the first period and early powerplay tallies were the keys to success. “Our guys did a great job of not allowing them to get into their game, and the powerplay getting [three] goals like that in the first period put us in a good spot.”

Jumping on teams early has become part of the fabric of this team’s ability to win games in 2010.  They have the schedule-makers to partially thank for that.  Pittsburgh has caught Western Conference challengers like Vancouver and Calgary on the tail-end of long road trips during their winning streak, and they knew Columbus would be fatigued and mentally fragile after losing 5-0 in Buffalo on Friday:

“It’s tough [for Columbus] when we get a couple of powerplay goals early and some chances go in the back of the net.  It can deflate them, especially after a tough loss last night.  It was just one of those nights that things went in for us.”

- Paul Martin

For goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, the critics have also been answered after a slow start to the season.  Fleury is now 10-0-1 in his last 11 starts, but he still remembers how it feels to be struggling like the Blue Jackets are with five straight losses.  “We want to win every night, but having played with [Columbus goalie Mathieu] Garon, and I know [Steve] Mason too, I know how they feel.  It’s tough to have those games.”

Be sure to check out Rick Gethin’s recap for more on the Blue Jackets and coach Scott Arniel’s reaction to the tough loss.

News and Notes

~ Evgeni Malkin skated on his own Saturday morning, but was a scratch with what’s rumored to be a knee injury.  Bylsma isn’t too concerned yet. “It’s not overly [serious],” he said.  “It’s not a structural problem with anything.  He’s just been banged up.”

~ His two goals aside, Paul Martin played his best game in a Penguins uniform on Saturday.  He led the game with four blocked shots and was jumping into the offensive rush early and often.  “Certain plays or times promote different opportunities so if it’s there you take advantage of it,” he said.  “If not, you make the right play.  Tonight it was a little more open for us to join [the rush] and make some plays.”  Martin now has four goals in 5 career games against Columbus.

~ Mike Rupp gets very little press coverage, but he’s playing inspired hockey and contributing to wins in a variety of ways.  Hits, fights, and even goals – you’d be hard-pressed to find a more effective player in the NHL who plays under 10 minutes a game.

~ The Penguins and the US Marine Corps are sponsoring a Holiday Toy Drive at the Penguins’ next two home games (Monday vs. New Jersey, Wednesday vs. Toronto).  Fans are asked to bring an unopened new toy or make a cash donation to purchase toys at these games and will be eligible to win team autographed memorabilia.

~ The HBO cameras are now rolling for the 24/7 Penguins/Capitals behind-the-scenes series that debuts December 15.  TheHockeyWriters.com will have a preview of what fans can expect and interviews with team executives from Pittsburgh and Washington later this week.