The game looked good when the Pens went up 3-0 during the second. Things looked bad when they squandered the lead and fell behind. But again, they just found a way to win.
The defense had another bad night, the lack of Brooks Orpik due to illness having no small aprt as Josef Melichar replaced him and picked up where he left off: playing terrible.
Staal got his first Hat Trick, and became the youngest player to ever do it. For a guy that wasn't supposed to be a scorer, he now has 23 goals, in no small part due his great accuracy and patience, putting him third on the team and one behind his older brother Eric who has played four more games.
Malkin chimed in with four points for himself having a hand in all of Staal's goals and Crosby only managed a single assist, despite playing a good game.
While I didnt see the interview, apparently Hockey Night in Canada host Don Cherry was gitty to be interviewing Staal, who he has gushed over all year. It also seemed Staal was a bit uncomfortable with it, and Cherry's affection for him may soon result in a restrainer order according to some viewers.
These are the kind of games the NHL wants to see. High scoring, end to end contests. Also, this was the first goal all year in the NHL to be scored three on three.
I am going to admit, I was a bit skeptical of Shero taking Staal with the #2 pick. Many seemed to be. But as time has worn on, Shero has proven he made the right decision and Staal is progressing far faster than anyone would have guessed.
The Pens now are in 4th in the East, and are poised to have three players 20 or younger to get 30 goals in a season, and they are the only team since the '84 Oilers to have that with 20 goal scorers.
Three Stars
1) Staal
2) Sundin
3) Malkin
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