Pens beat Preds 4-1

After the first period, i wasnt getting a good feeling about the way the game was going. Even after both Staal and Malkin scored, I just didn't feel safe against this team. When Recchi got a goal, you could tell it was going our way.

The young guns came through again, with Crosby and Malkin both getting two points, while Staal added another goal for his 19th, somethign that seems to be overlooked a bit.

Recchi also added three points, and Ruutu potted a empty netter to seal the game. A game that was getting chippy once more, though granted most of that was from Darcy Hordichuk running people from behind.

I've run out of good things to say about Fleury. Kid just keeps standing on his head. I remember hearing talk just last season how Lehtonen was going to be the best young goalie, and Fleury was only going to be average. This year Fleury is garnerning much more attention it seems. There is no talk of Fleury being mediocre at all anymore.

Watching the Preds for the first time in a while, I can see why they are sitting atop the league in points. very fluent and controlled plays, and not many mistakes. Recchi's goal aside, Chris Mason played a good game and deserves credit.

Michel Oullet hit people. Multiple times. Huh....

Pens defense did look good tonight for the most part. The forwards were coming back and not many mistakes from the D. The few mistakes came from Gonchar, who's half assed plat at times is really a weakness.

The game itself was entertaining, very little neutral zone play per se, and not a whole lot of stoppage. I think the Pens can be very proud of their effort tonight as they are now tied for fifth in the East after having toppled the top team.

Three Stars:
1) Fleury
2) Crosby
3) Staal

Three points and poor Recchi can't even get a star.