With the country celebrating “Hockey Day in America” it was only fitting than an American scored the game-winning goal; even if the losing goaltender was from the United States as well.
Paul Martin scored his second goal of the year with 2:04 remaining in the third period to lift the Penguins over the Sabres, 4-3.
The Penguins took a 1-0 lead just 35 seconds into the opening period on their first shot of the game. Chris Kunitz won a race to the puck along the boards in the offensive zone, allowing the play to get deep behind the Sabres’ goal. Kunitz found Brooks Orpik at the point whose shot was redirected by Pascal Dupuis in front of the net.
Less than a minute later, the Penguins went on the power play after Tyler Myers took a hi-sticking penalty. The power play wouldn’t last as Sidney Crosby scored 19 seconds later. Evgeni Malkin’s slap shot missed the net wide and Crosby slammed in the rebound off the boards.
With a second power play awarded to the Penguins in the first four minutes of the game, the Sabres looked to be down and out. However, Buffalo killed the power play, allowing zero shots. Shortly after the kill, Cody Hodgson scored his seventh goal of the season to cut the lead in half. Hodgson pounced on a rebound in front of the net and beat Marc-Andre Fleury.
The Sabres evened the score half way through the second period, taking advantage of Pittsburgh’s poor discipline. Sidney Crosby went to the box for cross-checking Jason Pominville. On the ensuing face off, Tanner Glass took a delay of game penalty for moving his hand on the puck.
The Penguins were close to killing the 5 on 3 disadvantage, but a slap shot by Christian Erhoff was redirected by Thomas Vanek in front of Fleury to tie the game at two.
Tanner Glass and Cody McCormick dropped the gloves early in the third period, likely in response to an incident from earlier in the game when McCormick had a high hit on Brandon Sutter.
The Sabres grabbed the lead for the first time all day. Nathan Gerbe skated wide on Brooks Orpik, stopped at the bottom of the face off circle near the boards, and put a shot on goal. Fleury kicked out the shot but the puck went right to Steve Ott who was able to find the open cage.
The lead didn’t last long; however, as the Penguins came back and scored less than two minutes later. The Penguins sustained heavy pressure in the Buffalo zone leading to a costly turnover from Pittsburgh-native Mike Weber. Pascal Dupuis’s slap shot was stopped by Miller but the Penguins eventually got the puck to Kris Letang whose backhand cross-ice pass to Dupuis led to a perfect one-time blast.
Buffalo had a power play late in the period, but was unable to find the back of the net. Fleury stood tall and the Sabres missed the net on a couple of chances.
After the penalty kill, the Penguins came right back and almost connected on a tic-tac-toe play. Malkin fed Crosby who sent a one-touch pass to Neal for the one-timer. Miller made a spectacular glove save to rob Neal on the chance.
The Penguins eventually broke the tie, thanks to a goal by Paul Martin from the point. The puck beat Miller’s glove side as it appeared he was screened on the play.
With the goalie pulled, the Sabres were unable to get another game-tying goal, and the Penguins escaped Buffalo with their third straight win.
- Sidney Crosby’s goal was the first unassisted power play goal of his career.
- The Penguins have scored first in all ten road games this season.
- Evgeni Malkin has gone six games without a goal.
Three Stars
- Pascal Dupuis
- Thomas Vanek
- Paul Martin
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
