Florida killed seven Penguins power plays and then scored twice while up a man
The Florida Panthers had to earn Friday’s road win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, and not just because the game required more than 60 minutes.
At times it felt like the Panthers were playing against the Penguins and the officials, going shorthanded eight separate times in a hostile PPG Paints Arena environment.
Ultimately Florida picked up a 3-2 win in a game that was decided in a shootout.
Things got going quickly in Pittsburgh thanks to a pair of power play goals in the opening minutes, one by Jake Guentzel at the 1:51 mark and a response by Evan Rodrigues 3:01 later.
The game remained tied at one into the second period Sasha Barkov left Friday’s game in Pittsburgh midway through the second period with an apparent injury.
Barkov took a hit from Penguins defenseman Kris Letang and went awkwardly to the ice, appearing to hit the back of his head on the boards.
The hit was light, but Barkov may not have been expecting any contact with the puck nowhere near the two players.
Barkov remained on the ice with his gloves clutching his helmet visor while Panthers Head Trainer Dave DiNapoli tended to him.
Eventually, Barkov left the ice and walked to the Panthers dressing room, but fortunately for Florida, he returned to the bench a few minutes later.
Letang was called for interference on the play after it was initially ruled a five-minute major and knocked down to the minor after video review.
There had already been a delayed call on Letang for tripping Evan Rodrigues literally moments before the hit on Barkov, and Florida capitalized on the extended power play thanks to Sam Reinhart.
Florida’s lead would be tested after a plethora of power plays were awarded to Pittsburgh during the latter stages of the middle frame.
The Cats continued to challenge Letang and he kept denying any dance requests.
Sam Bennett received two minors on the same play after cross-checking Letang, and Anton Lundell went to the box after popping the Pens’ veteran blueliner in the face after a whistle.
Nearly six straight minutes of being down a man, including a brief 5-on-3, didn’t faze the Panthers PK, though a good chunk of the credit goes to goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.
He came up big time and time again, stopping 17 shots while the Penguins were up a man.
Florida’s lead held until the final minute of the game, when Sidney Crosby tipped the puck to Evgeni Malkin at the side of the net with Bobrovsky down, and he roofed the puck over Bob’s extended arm.
The game would end up in a shootout, and goals by Barkov and Reinhart would be enough to give Florida the bonus point.
On to Long Island.
Here are some thoughts and observations from Friday’s matchup with the Penguins:
Bennett extended a point streak to three games with an assist on Rodrigues’ goal, logging a goal and four assists during the run.
Evan Rodrigues has 11 shots on goal over his past three games. He had 10 total shots in the 10 previous games, dating back to Dec. 30.
Reinhart now has 13 goals in his past 12 games. He’s up to 36 on the season. He’s also scored in eight straight road games.
Tkachuk is up to 22 points in 12 January games after logging an assist in Pittsburgh.
A pair of assist for Oliver Ekman-Larsson gives him 24 points this season, 11 of which have come on the power play.
LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA
Lundell, Samoskevich playing prominent roles as Panthers travel to face Penguins
THN Archive: Panthers goalie masks’ place among greatest of all time
Three takeaways: Panthers handle business, Maurice keeping Barkov and Reinhart apart, for now
Panthers demolish Coyotes 6-2 in final home game before All-Star break
Paul Maurice coaches 1,813th NHL game, second-most in league history
