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Penguins/Blackhawks Recap: Depleted Pittsburgh boatraced at home

Chicago scores early and often to skate away with an easy 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins

By Hooks Orpik
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pregame

Conor Sheary missed most the last game but is able to go for this one. Fleury in the net.

1st period

Bad from the beginning, Patrick Kane darts around the back of the net and suddenly throws a back-pass to Artemi Panarin. Breadman banks it on off of Marc-Andre Fleury, who of course has to respect the speed and possibility of a Kane wrap-around. 1-0

Nick Schmaltz starts another scoring play from behind the net, centering the puck to Richard Panik who buries it and the bloodbath is on. 2-0.

A nifty little deflection by Kane in the NZ fools Mark Streit and gives Marcus Kroger a ton of space. He makes no mistakes with the rush, beating Fleury to make it 3-0.

Oh God, make it stop. 4-0 late before the end of the period. The Blackhawks get sprung on a 3-on-1 (why? why not?) and Ryan Hartman feeds a beautiful pass for Marian Hossa who actually shoots the puck kinda back into the goalie but after a pass like that it's just going to be a goal anyways.

Shots 15-10 CHI, goals like 1,000,000 to 0.

2nd period

Some debate and chatter whether to pull Fleury but this lineup isn't going to rally against a great team from a 4 goal hole, so why bother? That's probably Sullivan's logic too as he leaves Fleury in the fire. With the schedule heating up and this game basically over, nothing too wrong with that no matter the logic.

Thankfully things settle and a scoreless period.

3rd period

Someone named Tanner Kero blocks a shot and gets sprung on a breakaway. Fleury takes away the 5-hole, which is good, but opens up the blocker side in so doing and that's where the puck goes to make it 5-0. Shrug.

Bryan Rust, arguably the best Penguin all night, finally gets rewarded for his effort by tucking a puck home.

Thankfully, that will do it for this one.

Some Thoughts

  • Not too much use putting a lot of thought or analysis into this one. The Pens have been overmatched for sometime and there's no running and hiding from matching up against a stronger side and then getting worked. Pretty much what happened here.
  • On the bright side, Pittsburgh has 103 points in the standings and a playoff spot secured. This game was tough to get through, but it's over and short of Justin Schultz getting stung blocking a shot with his leg, seemingly no injuries suffered. That's a plus.
  • Chicago just lost 7-0 last time out. Sometimes you're bust and sometimes you're flush.

Pens hit the road on Friday to go to MSG. Hopefully some reinforcements come, otherwise it's bound to be another uphill battle.

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