If the game against Washington bought head coach Mike Johnston some time, last night’s win against Buffalo did little to solidify his position. Still, it was a victory where some of the Pens biggest guns started putting up points.
After the team got an early lead, they almost squandered it. It was a mixture of “taking their foot off the gas” alongside resurgent Sabres play, but Johnston survived with a win.
Party Hard:
As was noted HERE previously, the Pens have been under internet pressure to change their goal song to “Party Hard” by Andrew W.K. After playing the song at other points during the game, last night was the first time it was used exclusively as a goal song.
On Twitter, the Pens account posted animated pictures of cats (yesterday was apparently National Cat Day) along with the words party hard in psychedelic colors. Here’s a great example:
POWER PLAY GOAL! EVGENI MEOWKIN! #Pens lead 4-2 with 5:03 left in the 2nd period. #NationalCatDay pic.twitter.com/2GxHbL2BPG
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 30, 2015
Note the “Meowkin” with a wink and a nudge, a gentle elbow in the ribs, and see how much fun has already been had with all of this. Here’s the song as it sounded after the 1st goal of the game.
https://twitter.com/JohnBursick/status/659869980767461377
Very nice to see an internet campaign based on positivity succeed.
@psamp Thank YOU for your persistence. It helped us make a strong case to the people who make these decisions.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 30, 2015
Has Crosby Found Chemistry?
The answer is maybe!
Sidney Crosby played extremely well with old friend Pascal Dupuis and hard working Patric Hornqvist. Both Dupuis and Hornqvist scored 1st period goals, and the line was a threat every time it was on the ice.
Crosby, who had 2 assists, has had at least one point against Buffalo in 26 of his 29 career games. It was Dupuis’ first goal since November 14th, 2014, and Hornqvist’s goal’s was his first of the season.
It’ll take more than one game to prove chemistry has been found, but at least they seem to be on the right track.
50 Saves:
Jeff Zatkoff did not have a good start to the game. Spotted a 2-0 league early in the 1st, that lead was squandered by period’s end. However, he came through in the clutch and won his first start since April of 2014.
The last goalie in Penguins history to stop 50 shots in a game was Ty Conklin, who stopped 50 against the Islanders back in 2008.
Zatkoff has shown himself to be a capable backup at the NHL level, and came through during his first start of the season.
Up: Pascal Dupuis
Looking mighty spry for his advanced hockey years, it’s always great to see someone get rewarded for simply outworking those around him. Dupuis did exactly that on his first period goal, muscling his way to the front of the net.
Nice to have @Duper0009 back and scoring goals. All is well. Full goal replay: https://t.co/MezUDf8coc pic.twitter.com/rpws5NMKfB
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 29, 2015
Down: This Guy
He stole a puck intended for a child. Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma was tossing a stray puck to a kid standing in the aisle, only to have THIS GUY…
Are you kidding me man? Stealing a puck thrown to kids? What a complete idiot. Really classy. pic.twitter.com/1vVSQSusff
— Dave DiCello (@DaveDiCello) October 30, 2015
… snag the puck.
Now, I can understand the reflex of wanting to catch a flying object (often the primary purpose of sport) but instead of handing it to the kid and patting him on the head, he pulled the puck behind his back.
Don’t be THAT GUY!
You deserve it, little man! pic.twitter.com/vSVPEPtWpL
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 30, 2015
