The Penguins power play is on a historic pace at the start of the 2014-15 season. Coming into the game at 40.6%, the top-ranked power play unit converted on two of six chances, and their success rate actually dropped. They now sit at 39.5% on the season. The NHL record, set by the Montreal Canadiens in 1977-78, is 31.88%.
The Penguins power play not only provided the tallies on the scoreboard that the team would need to win, it provided key early momentum against a banged up Los Angeles squad.
When asked if the Penguins power play was a difference-maker, Los Angeles Head Coach Darryl Sutter said, “Early in the game, for sure.“
Chris Kunitz got the scoring started for the Penguins on a two-man advantage 9:16 into the first period. From the side of the net, he redirected an Evgeni Malkin slap shot past Los Angeles goaltender Martin Jones to give the Penguins an early lead.
“Just go to the net with your stick down and you know there might be a chance,” Kunitz said of playing on the power play with Malkin, “He made a great pass, just a little redirect, and it went right in the net.”
Malkin’s assist was his 400th in the NHL. He is just the fifth Penguins forward to reach the mark, following Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Sidney Crosby, and Ron Francis.
“Yeah, it’s a good number, but I’m not done,” Malkin said of his assist total.
Malkin added two penalty minutes to his scorecard for the evening when he got into a third-period tussle with Los Angeles’ Jason Williams. Malkin took Williams to the ground before many punches were thrown, and each player received two minutes for roughing.
One goal was all the help Marc-Andre Fleury would need as the netminder earned his 30th career shutout and second of the season by stopping all 36 Los Angeles shots, including 16 in the third period.
“We faced a good team even though they’re missing a few key forwards,” Fleury said after the game, “They’re still Stanley Cup champs, so it was a good challenge for us, and we played a solid game.”
Later in the first, the power play would strike again as Kunitz found Kris Letang on a cross-ice pass. Letang’s shot deflected off Kings forward Dwight King and through Jones’ five-hole to give the Penguins a 2-0 lead.
Kunitz would cap off the scoring, and a three-point night, with another goal in the third period. He found Crosby’s rebound to the right of Kings’ crease and shot it from a seemingly impossible angle to find the top corner of the net over the glove hand of Jones. Christian Ehrhoff had the other assist.
The Penguins have won three consecutive games for the first time this season, and have points in four straight contests. With the win, they have re-claimed first place in the Metropolitan Division. The New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils sit one point behind the Penguins.
The Penguins’ three-game home stand will wrap up on Saturday, when they host the Buffalo Sabres at 7:00 p.m.
