The hallmark of a good team is when it bounces back from an embarrassing performance.
That's exactly what the Pittsburgh Penguins did against the Thrashers on Saturday night in defeating Atlanta, 3-2.
In a game that wasn't as close as the score indicates, the Penguins were strong in almost all facets. They controlled play for extended stretches, capitalized on their scoring chances, and got excellent goaltending from the same guy who was shelled in Ottawa on Thursday night, Marc-Andre Fleury.
Fleury stopped 31 shots in the game, and made several strong saves throughout the contest on some of the Thrashers' better scorers, including one of the best goal-scorers in the league, Ilya Kovalchuk.
For the Penguins, Martin Skoula scored twice -- his first 2-goal game in 8 seasons -- and Evgeni Malkin added one for the Penguins.
Pittsburgh even scored a power-play goal for the third straight game and -- despite getting defenseman Brooks Orpik back into the lineup after missing almost 2 weeks with a lower body ailment -- didn't lose anyone else to injury.
Going into the final leg of their 3-game road trip against the Panthers in Florida tonight, the Penguins jumped back into first place in the Atlantic Division, ahead of the New Jersey Devils, with 30 points.
Make no mistake, however. Despite winning 3 of their last 4, the Penguins have no room to rest tonight against a Florida club that is extremely hot. After a miserable start to the season, they have 8 victories in their last 11 games.
I've heard some talk that RW Tyler Kennedy may return to the lineup tonight as well. He's been practicing the last few days. Because his absence has been much longer than anticipated, it remains to be seen if the Pens' medical staff will be careful with him and sit him out for a few more days.
LW Chris Kunitz and defenseman Kris Letang also are very close to returning to the lineup. We should see them any game now.
Recap of tonight's Pens/Cats contest tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
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