Yes, I said power play.
The Pittsburgh Penguins actually scored TWO power-play markers last night in regulation -- just enough to keep them in a 2-2 tie with the Flyers before winning the game in the shootout, 3-2 and sweeping the home-and-home series from their cross-state rivals to keep Philadelphia firmly in the Atlantic Division basement.
More importantly, their victory also lifted Pittsburgh into first place in the Atlantic, first place in the Eastern Conference, and yes -- first place in the National Hockey League. They have 49 points on a 24-10-1 record, and are 12-4 in their last 16 games.
Last night's game was certainly more competitive -- at least on the scoreboard -- than Tuesday night's contest was between these two clubs and, while there was only one fight in the game (unlike the 3 that happened in 16 seconds during their game 2 days ago), the Flyers certainly brought more energy and more offense.
Pens' goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was forced to have a strong game as a result, and he came through swimmingly, stopping 31 of 33 Philadelphia shots.
Bill Guerin and Sidney Crosby scored for Pittsburgh in regulation -- as mentioned, both on the power-play, which went 2-for-5 -- offsetting tallies by Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux for Philadelphia.
After 60 minutes, the sides enjoyed a very unusual period of 3-on-3 hockey during 2 minutes of the overtime, thanks to offsetting minor penalties on Pens' defenseman Brooks Orpirk and Flyers' agitator Daniel Carcillo.
Watching the 3-on-3 was odd, and you could tell it was for the players, too. They didn't really know what do to out there.
In the shootout, the Penguins won it after only 2 rounds.
After Philadelphia center Daniel Briere failed to get a shot off on his team's -- and the shootout opening -- attempt against Fleury, Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang abused Flyer goaltender Brian Boucher with an easy goal after making 2 fakes and a deke which left Boucher's knees buckling.
I loved how Pens' color commentator Bob Errey described Letang's moves:
"He gave him the head and shoulders"
Giroux also failed to get anything resembling a shot off on the Flyers' 2nd attempt, which left the shootout's potential fate in the hands of Flyer giant-killer Crosby.
Coming into the game, Crosby hadn't missed on a single shootout attempt all season, and you could tell the gods were with him again last night in the Wachovia Center, as Crosby came down on Boucher and half-fanned on his shot, but the puck still fluttered up over Boucher's glove and into the net to seal the win for the Penguins.
Crosby could be seen visibly laughing at his goal on the way back to celebrating with his teammates.
With the home-and-home sweep over Philly in their pocket, the Penguins will now go on the road to Buffalo to face the Sabres and sizzling hot goaltender Ryan Miller for the first time this year on Saturday night, before coming home for three straight home games during Christmas week.
More this weekend.
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