Call-Up Chris Conner Clutch In Comeback For Cup Champs; Pens Beat Rangers 4-2

I said here yesterday that I'd be surprised if American Hockey League call-up Chris Conner played on the top line against New York in last night's nationally televised contest for the Penguins against the Rangers.

And I was.

But not as surprised as the two goals he scored -- including the game winner -- while playing on that line in last night's 4-2 victory.

Conner scored about 3 minutes into the game, and then scored a big goal in the third period to give the Pens' the lead one minute after Evgeni Malkin tallied on the power play to even the score.

Unlike Malkin's big rip from the near boards that blew by Lundqvist after a deflection, both of Conner's goals were short/near side efforts that New York star netminder Henrik Lundqvist would probably like to have back. But make no mistake --- Conner deserves credit on both plays for putting himself in scoring position, getting to the loose puck, and driving a strong shot on the net.

Marc-Andre Fleury started for Pittsburgh for the first time in 4 games, and save for a cheapie that inched by him -- literally -- along the ice next to the post in the third period, was relatively strong in stopping 28 of 30 New York shots.

The other part of the Pens' game that really helped them in this win was their penalty kill.

Like on Sunday afternoon against the Flyers, the PK was sharp -- and it needed to be, as it was assessed just about 6 consecutive minutes of time down a man to start the third period of a 1-1 tie after center Jordan Staal took a 4-minute high sticking penalty, and LW Matt Cooke took a stupid retaliatory penalty with 11 seconds left in Staal's second minor.

The Pens' PK kept the Rangers generally to the outside and didn't give them very many decent scoring chances, and when New York broke through, #29 was there to shut the door.

In my opinion, killing those penalties gave the Penguins the momentum for Malkin's power play goal not long thereafter, and then Conner's game winner one minute later.

Pascal Dupuis -- with an empty net goal -- sealed Pittsburgh's 7th win in 11 games, their 4th consecutive victory over the Rangers this year, and 7th straight regular season win against the them dating back to last season. That's something that has never occurred in the history between these two clubs.

And so, after posting back-to-back victories amid a bunch of happy dads on the Penguins' annual father's trip, the Boys of Winter have now creeped to back within 2 points of the Atlantic-Division leading New Jersey Devils, and also are an impressive 9-1 in games tied going into the third period this season.

If that's not a Stanley Cup Champion who knows how to win when things get tight, I don't know what is.

The Pens' now have 2 days off before facing a very hot Ottawa Senators team back at Mellon Arena on Thursday.

More later this week.


NOTES:

Pens' RW Eric Godard left the game in the first period with what appeared to be a right knee injury and did not return. The exact nature of Godard's problem is unclear at this point, but after seeing the play, it appeared that his knee just gave way on him while he was skating and not really involved in any contact. Godard will surely be re-evaluated in Pittsburgh, but preliminary indications from the team are that he might be out for a while.

Meanwhile, there's also still no word on exactly when regulars Bill Guerin and Alex Goligoski might return to the lineup. Goligoski is believed to have an upper body injury and I have heard he's slated for an MRI. Guerin's injury is being kept more under wraps, but it may be something he's been dealing with for a while. Hopefully we'll have more word on these guys in coming days.

Max Talbot, who missed his 3rd straight game last night, is close to returning. Talbot, who suffered either a groin or ankle injury when tripped by New York Islanders' netminder Dwayne Roloson one week ago, plans to skate some the next few days and see if he can make it back into the lineup in the next game or two.