Every game the Penguins play these days is big. The playoffs are fast approaching and the Pens have been sitting just outside the top eight, unable to squeeze past the likes of the Hurricanes, Panthers and even the free-falling Rangers. There is little margin for error as every point counts. So when the NHL's secomd best team comes to the Mellon Arena fresh off a win against the statistically best team it's pretty clear just how huge a win would be against any team let alone San Jose, a team who a victory against could boost not only Crosby, Malkin and the gangs rank in the conference, it could also do wonders for their confidence.
On that note let me be the first to say: look out for the Pens.
While they certainly made us all worry about another 3rd period collapse (although blowing a one goal lead against the Sharks wouldn't be as bad as doing likewise against, say, the Predators) in the end, the boys in black and gold came through.
This was perhaps one of the best all-aroud games the Pens played all season. The D was solid, goaltending: practically impenetrable and at times unbelievable, the offense, not quite abundant in scoring but above average in terms of scoring chances. Thank God we won because to see an effort like that result in zero or even just one point, as was looking likely after two lackluster shots in the shootout before Crosby scored and Fleiry made a huge last-second kick save on Dan Boyle, would have been demoralizing. Alas, the game was only demoralizing to San Jose and the Pens have to be feeling as good as possible going into a long stretch of mostly road game. Let's hope the momentum carries over.
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