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Penguins pick on the Blue Jackets, again |
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Without Brandon Dubinsky around to crosscheck Sidney Crosby in the head the Penguins captain scored twice leading the Penguins to a 4-1 victory over the last place Columbus Blue Jackets. Things have been going well for the Penguins when they face off against the Blue Jackets lately
Crosby added another 5v5 goal. His 23 5v5 points still lead the league with Erik Karlsson one point back at 22. Both players have been fantastic this year while defying aging curves. His 5v5 goal was the product of another well-run faceoff sequence. Over the years the Penguins have done a really nice job creating off of offensive zone draws. They were able to get a Jake Guentzel one-timer which led to Crosby out muscling players down low for the rebound tally
Crosby was also able to add a power play goal, which has been rare this season. It was only his second goal on the man advantage in 2022-23. Where did he score it from? Down low, the place he should be stapled to on the power play. If you keep him there he will no doubt hit double digits in power play goals despite the slow start in this area. Considering the Penguins power play hasn’t exactly been lighting it up this season I don’t know why they haven’t committed to something they know will work.
Teddy Blueger had a rough start of the year. He missed the first 15 games of the season with a nagging injury. Last night he got a much-deserved goal. It wasn’t an empty net goal, but it kinda was
Teddy Blueger has done some heavy lifting over the years for Mike Sullivan with his defensive deployments so anytime he scores is much deserved. While I’m not sold on him being a regular third line center on a Cup contending team I do think he’s a tweener that can step up into a 3rd line role in a pinch. He’s been a great 4th line center. It will be interesting to see how contract negotiations go after the season as he is a pending unrestricted free agent.
Tristan Jarry has found his groove. After some shaky starts he has been playing at a high level. Since November 19th he has made seven starts. In those seven starts he has had a .954 save percentage stopping 228 out of 239 shots. Coincidently the Penguins are 6-0-1 during these seven games. During this stretch no goalie has more goals saved above average (GSAA) than Jarry’s 7.01 per Natural Stat Trick. He has an impressive .881 HDSV% at 5v5 as well. A really nice stretch for the Penguins #1 goaltender.
After going four games without a point Evgeni Malkin has stormed back with five points in his last three games. He has 25 points in 26 games and a 59.49 xGF% to go with it.
More like Bryan no more Rust. After six pointless games he’s put up six points in the last two games and looks like he’s regaining the form that earned him a healthy extension. For the Penguins to make any noise in the playoffs Bryan Rust needs to play like the top six player he’s been the last few years. Hopefully this is the beginning of a hot streak.
Up next for the Penguins is a home and home with the much improved Buffalo Sabres.
Thanks for reading!
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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