The Pittsburgh Penguins ended the month of March with a completely opposite performance from how they started it. The Penguins defeated the Blackhawks 4-1, Sunday night, thanks to goals by James Neal, Lee Stempniak and Sidney Crosby. The score was nearly the opposite of the first matchup between these two teams on March 1st at Soldier Field.
Jonathan Toews scored twice in their March 1st matchup. He didn’t finish the game in the rematch at Consol Energy Center.
James Neal scored to get the Penguins out to a 1-0 lead mid-way through the first period. Neal took the puck from center ice and found himself with Beau Bennett on a two on one rush. Neal closed in before ripping a wrist shot past goaltender Corey Crawford.
The Penguins scored on the following shift to extend the lead to two. Lee Stempniak then received a pass from Matt Niskanen and outskated the Blackhawks defense past the blue line. Stempniak’s shot was partially challenged by the backchecking effort of Johnny Oduya but found its way through the five-hole of Crawford.
Sheldon Brookbank scored 11:10 into the second period to cut the Pittsburgh lead in half. Brookbank’s slap shot from the point found its way through a screen and beat Marc-Andre Fleury.
Jonathan Toews left the game in the middle of the second period after he was leveled against the boards by Brooks Orpik. Toews stayed on the ice for a few seconds before leaving the ice while favoring his left arm. He did not return.
The Hawks came out roaring in the third period. They controlled play for most of the first half of the period but Marc-Andre Fleury stood tall.
Sidney Crosby scored his first career goal against the Blackhawks late in the third to ice the game. After being denied on a two on one opportunity earlier in the period, Crosby roofed a snapshot over Crawford’s left shoulder to extend the lead to 3-1. He then added a second goal when the Blackhawks pulled their netminder with under a minute remaining.
Three stars
- Marc-Andre Fleury
- Sidney Crosby
- James Neal
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
