Facing the powerful San Jose Sharks, riding a six game winning streak and owners of the second best record in the Western Conference should have been tough task for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Instead, the challenge may have revealed a heart and character that has often been dormant.
Maybe it was the return of pesky Chuck Kobasew after missing 17 games. Maybe it was a line-up, which was forced to rely on unheralded Jason Megna as a second line center and Andrew Ebbets and Chris Conner, two aging AHL journeymen. Maybe it was the Finnish scouts on hand to watch Olli Maatta in anticipation of the Sochi Olympics or an angry Brooks Orpik.
Maybe it was all of the above.
Sometime after former Penguin pest and enemy to glass cleaners, Tyler Kennedy lined up Brooks Orpik for a thundering hit early in the first period, the Penguins looked like a different team.
The Kennedy hit was clearly not taken well by the once surly defenseman. Orpik spent the next 40 minutes of hockey looking to exact revenge upon any player in white. He finished with a team high four hits. It was also vintage Orpik and clearly fueled a different type of aggressive attack.
The Pens were not calmly staying in their lanes, playing a quick transition game and waiting for Sidney Crosby to create offense. They were, instead, physical, aggressive and forced several San Jose mistakes. Those mistakes quickly turned a tight, scoreless game into a 3-0 Penguins lead by 5:27 of the second period.
Sochi hopeful Chris Kunitz deflected an Orpik wrister for a 1-0 lead. Soon after, rookie Jason Megna, anchoring the second line in Malkin’s absence, seized on a giveaway at the Shark’s blueline. Megna, who isn’t supposed to possess a scoring knack or hands, confidently skated in on Sharks goalie Antii Niemi and buried a short wrister to the near post for a 2-0 lead.
Olli Maata also had a statement game. The 19 year old rookie produced just one assist in over 21 minutes of ice time, but offered a glimpse into a bright future by creating several more chances with offensive rushes. He was perhaps the Penguins best defenseman at both ends of the ice.
Ebbets registered two hits and was a presence on the ice and embodied the Penguins display of depth. Crosby’s three assists and Kunitz’s two goals grabbed headlines, but the unexpected contributions of players who are fighting to stay in the NHL were the difference.
On the downside, the Sharks were correct about the play of Marc Andre Fleury. He was not “shaky” as Logan Couture suggested, but he was not sharp. Fleury added between three and five shot to the Sharks total with soft rebound control. Fortunately for Fleury, the Sharks were not able to physically overpower the Penguins defensemen in pursuit of more.
It was a single game on a Thursday night in December against a team 3000 miles from home. However, for 60 minutes the Pittsburgh Penguins looked like a hungry, gritty team not prone to frustration but eager to show determination. They were propelled by role players and players eager to prove they belonged on their country’s Olympic squad, the second line or just the NHL. It was a hunger not often displayed by a team laden with superstars. It looked like the hunger necessary to be engraved in silver.
It was also a treat to watch.
