Penguins Win 3rd Straight; Throttle Senators 5-2

Undeniably, there was a lot to celebrate last night at the CONSOL Energy Center.

Sergei Gonchar's return to Pittsburgh, where he was cheered heartily by a sellout crowd after watching a scoreboard video tribute to his career in black and gold.

And the Penguins continuing to roll, winning their third straight game and 4th in the last 5 by pasting Gonchar's new team -- the Ottawa Senators -- to the tune of 5-2.

Gonchar, playing as a visitor agains the Penguins for the first time in more than 5 seasons, must have had a hard time sorting out his mixed feelings about being in town again, because he was TERRIBLE in the game.  He was on the ice for all five goals-against.  And, like many of his teammates, looked bad in the process.

Forward Mark Letestu continued to shine last night by scoring the opening goal 8 minutes into the game by taking a nice feed in the slot from teammate Mike Comrie before blistering a water-bottle wrist shot top-shelf past Senators' netminder Brian Elliott for a power play marker and early 1-0 Penguins' edge.

Talk about a goal-scorer's goal?  That was it folks.  And it's just more kudos for the rookie who looks like he clearly belongs, and not just in a support role, either.

Sidney Crosby added another man-advantage tally about five minutes later taking the rebound of an Alex Goligoski shot off the lively back boards and quickly depositing it behind Elliott before he could get to the post.

The power play, by the way, finished 2-for-3 on the night, and is 7 for its last 28 -- a strong 25% during that stretch.

Evgeni Malkin padded the Pens' lead to 3-0 before the period ended by hustling to a loose puck around Elliott off a face-off in Ottawa's zone and swiping it by him.

While Daniel Alfredsson gave Ottawa fans a moment of hope by scoring early in the second period, it required a picture-perfect, top-corner, off the post/crossbar shot past a screened Brent Johnson. 

But the Penguins didn't waste any time squashing any momentum that goal may have generated.

Forward Pascal Dupuis got his first of the year when a centering pass intended for teammate Chris Kunitz off a rush went behind Elliott off an Ottawa defender, and less than 30 seconds later, defenseman Kris Letang sailed one past Elliott through a maze of players to give Pittsburgh a 5-1 advantage.

The Senators got a goal from Chris Campoli in the third period, but Johnson continued his strong play and shut Ottawa down the rest of the way.  He stopped 32 of 34 shots and was the game's #1 star.

For as strong as Johnson was, indications are that Head Coach Dan Bylsma may go back to Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins' next game, Thursday in Nashville against the Predators.  That's a stretch where the Pens have 7 of their next 8 on the road, so Fleury is bound to get back in the lineup at some point.

Blysma has actually said some good things about Fleury the last several days, publicly reminding everyone that Fleury is the Penguins' #1 and franchise goaltender.  This after making some surprising remarks last week that were critical of Fleury's play. 

Personally, I agree with that general sentiment.  As I've already said in this space, Fleury has to be the guy if the Penguins are going to get to the promised land again.  But right now, I see nothing wrong with riding Johnson.  He's playing great and deserves to continue to get a fair amount -- if not more -- playing time. 

I mean, with him playing the way he is right now, he gives the team the best chance to win.  And if Blysma agrees, how can he not continue to put #1 between the pipes?  He owes it to the other 19 players who dress.

All in all, though, a good problem to have, would you say?

More later this week.