Pens Defeat Slugs 5-4 in the Shootout

The atmosphere was nothign short of electric last night after the arena announcement (I will get to that post later this week due to back to back games) and the Penguins didnt dissapoint defeating the top team in the east 5-4.

There were a lot of Buffalo fans at the game, some were nice (the three in front of me kept to themselves cheering only when Buffalo scored), some were annoying (like the 14 year old girl three rows back yelling "shoot the puck" everytime Buffalo had it, and that including being in the defensive and neutral zone), and I've heard some where outright ignorant and violent (my friend sat in another section with very rude fans and at least two fights broke out).

Versus couldnt have asked for a better game for national tv. Up and down, lots of chances, a comeback and a shoot out win. And when Mario amde his announcement he was barely able to get a word in over the raucous crowd. It was the first time in a long time you saw a smile on his face, and both he and the fans were incredibly happy.

It is a bit disconcerting that the Pens again blew a two goal lead, but again they managed to get two points. Despite Ryan Miller coming ten feet out fo the ent to stop Christensen, he still pulled his patented move and scored. Crosby did the same, but quicker and with less room, and I'm not really sure how he got the puck in. Fleury was once again money, but oddly stopped the two hard shots and let in a regular wrist shot.

Game Notes:

• Melicrap was horrid, being on the ice for all four Buffalo goals, two of which were a result of him either taking the wrong man or standing in front watching the Sabres take shots on Fleury. If not for Melichar, the Sabres would not have even salvaged a point. Of course Therrien will continue to reward this horrid play with more ice time. I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep him scratched. It was no coincidence that the Pens winning streak occured when melichar was not playing.
• Melichar aside, nearly everyone had a good game. Orpik was the best defenseman on the ice, playing sound defensively, making some good offensive plays and hitting everything.
• Despite racking up three points, Whitney did not look that good.
• Ouellet still sucks
• Crosby finally got back to his multiple point games (how funny is it that's something we complain about?) getting three points.
• Ruutu and Petro work very well together. Ruutu had played terrible for about 6 games prior, and once Petro was on his line: isntant success. Petro needs to play more, and we know whose expense it should be at.
• Fleury had a very good game. None of the goals were his fault, and he made more than a few really good saves (ask Zubrus)
• Even the refs called a pretty good game
• Despite there being very good defense on boht sides, with lots of clutter on the blue lines and blocked shots, the game was still excited, each team being very good in their own end.
• The Penguins first penalty kill was quite possibly the single best penalty kill I have ever seen. They gave Buffalo nothing and had more scoring chances.

I've decided to drop the thumbs up/ thumbs down section as it just feels too reduntant with the game notes.

Three Stars:
1) Crosby
2) Whitney
3) Briere