Fuse Box Monday

Yinzers,

We'll start off with some team news today and then get right into the game recaps. As of this afternoon, forward Eric Tangradi and defenseman Andrew Hutchinson have been assigned to AHL affiliate Wilkes Barre-Scranton. This is in preparation for the returns of forward Arron Asham and defenseman Zbynek Michalek. Both are recovering from undisclosed, upper body injuries. Asham will most likely play in the next game (Wednesday in Tampa Bay) and Michalek participated in a full practice for the first time since suffering the injury back in early October. With Brooks Orpik back in action and these two on the way back, the only remaining piece of the puzzle will be Jordan Staal. It will be interesting to see who Dany Bylsma assigns to the baby pens when that time comes. Anyway, here's what you missed.

Monday October 18: Senators v. Penguins
The Pens rout the Sens 5-2 on the return trip for Sergei Gonchar. The Penguins straight up dominated this game from start to finish, starting with three goals in the first period by Mark Letestu, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Deryk Engelland went toe-to-toe with Chris Neil in Neil's attempt to win back some momentum for the Senators, but it would not help on this night. Daniel Alfredsson got a power play goal early in the second to bring the score to 3-1, but Pascal Dupuis and Kris Letang each added a goal later in the game to bring the score to 5-1 after two complete. The Senators tried to rally in the third, but he Penguins buckled down on defense, letting up just one goal to Chris Campoli. Brent Johnson continued to shine, stopping 32 of 34 shots to remain undefeated on the year.

Thursday October 21: Penguins v. Predators
The Predators used to be an "easy win" on the schedule. Not so anymore. Nashville has really developed and is showing a lot of promise in the Western Conference. This shows because they took the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins to overtime, but the Penguins still came out on top 4-3. David Legwand had the only goal in the first period, giving the Predators a 1-0 lead at home after one period. The two teams then alternated goals for the second and third period by way of Evgeni Malkin (1-1), Cody Franson (2-1 NSH), Sidney Crosby (2-2), Patric Hornqvist (3-2 NSH) and Sidney Crosby again (3-3). Also in the second period, fisticuffs flew again between Kevin Klein and Deryk Engelland. Engelland is proving why he should stay with the big club when Zbynek Michalek comes back. The kid backs down from nobody. With the score tied at three, we go to overtime and at 3:49 in OT, Kris Letang wins it for the Penguins on a slap shot. Pens take it 4-3 with Marc-Andre Fleury stopping 21 of 24 and getting his first win of the year.

Saturday October 23: Penguins v. Blues
The St. Louis Blues are another one of those teams that has been so bad for so long. Not so anymore. They finished up last season with 90 points, just missing the playoffs. This year, they are primed for a deep run in the Stanley Cup playoffs and showed their toughness against the Penguins. It only took one goal to win this game and it took overtime to get it. This game featured relentless forechecking, finishing of body checks and a gritty atmosphere that every hockey fan loves. There was even a brawl between BJ Crombeen and Craig Adams in the second period. Adams was by far the smaller player, but put up a good fight against the much bigger Crombeen. The game winning goal came off the stick of Erik Johnson just 50 seconds into overtime. Brent Johnson was disgusted at himself for letting it in, but what can you do? The Pens come away with one point in the 1-0 overtime loss. Brent Johnson turned away 23 of 24 and was bested by, who else, Jaroslav Halak who turned away all 31 Penguin shots.

The Pens still sit atop the Atlantic Division with a record of 5-3-1 and 11 points.

The Penguins' next game is Wednesday night at 7:30 on FSN-Pittsburgh when they take on Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Let's go Pens,
B Brog