The Penguins opened the Mike Johnston era with a thrilling, back-and-forth win over Bruce Boudreau's Anaheim Ducks.
Even though the Pittsburgh Penguins have a new general manager, a new coach, new players and a new system they are still going to do a lot of the same things we've become accustomed to seeing them do. Specifically, play wild back-and-forth games like they did on Thursday night to open the 2014-15 season.
The Mike Johnston era began with a 6-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks and featured the Penguins racing out to a 3-0 first period lead, completely blow that lead in the second period in comical fashion, and then storm back with three more goals of their own.
This is what the Penguins do, and it's best to just embrace it and enjoy for what it is -- wildly entertaining hockey that will keep you on the edge of your seat. On Thursday night alone they gave up a hat trick to Corey Perry, made their goalie stop a penalty shot, were only 3-for-6 on the penalty kill and they still won by multiple goals.
A lot of the new faces played a major role on Thursday, including Patric Hornqvist who scored just five minutes into his debut with the team after coming over in the big James Neal trade while Blake Comeau also added what would turn out to be the game-winning goal. Some of the old faces stood out as well, including Sidney Crosby who finished with a pair of goals and an assist in the win.
3 Things
1. Pascal Dupuis doesn't look like he is coming off a major knee injury - Given his age (35) and the fact he is returning from a major knee injury that cost him most of the 2013-14 season, there had to be some question as to how much Pascal Dupuis might be able to do this season. Amazingly, he somehow looked younger and faster in the season opener and finished with a four-point night. Had it not been for a disallowed goal it would have been a five-point night.
2. Marc-Andre Fleury still can't play the puck - Seriously, the Penguins just need to get it over with and tie him to the net so stuff like this does not happen. Because it happens all the time.
3. John Gibson did not play particularly well for Anaheim - With Jonas Hiller moving on over the summer, the net in Anaheim now belongs to the young duo of Frederik Andersen and John Gibson. On Thursday, it was Gibson getting the start in his hometown and it turned out to be a miserable homecoming as he allowed six goals on 39 shots. The very fact he had to face 39 shots should show that it wasn't entirely his fault, but the first two goals of the game that he allowed were on the soft side and actually bounced off of him on their way to the net.
from SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1tgsC9J
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