Jesus CHRIST what an emotional roller coaster. What in the crap did i just watch
Dear god, those were the very words running through my mind when I turned off the tv
We're all used to the Pens ups and downs. Insane tidal waves of offense followed by absolutely bombs where they just vanish in the next 10 minutes. But that was a new level of insanity. Going from 1. E Rod turning into super man to 2. E Rod nearly scoring into his own net from 150 feet. Then you had 1. Chasing the unassailable Shesterkin to 2. that comedy routine from Letang throwing his own stick in the air, tackling his man, and then pushing the net. Tonight was some next level weird shit. Even for this team.
Once my wife ran the defib on me and my heart restarted, I had many, many questions
1.
How on earth does Sullivan not use a timeout at 4-3 when its clear were were MIA in the second period? We went almost 7 minutes at 4-1, getting caved on chances, and then give up two in 2 minutes. All the warning signs were there and then the lead was basically gone. FFS, just call a TO and dent their momentum! Just do something, ANYTHING resembling game management. Then we get treated to that comedy goal from Copp, and were all left staring into the abyss.
2. Igor Sherterkin was chased from this game, and Louis f***ing Domingue made the clutch saves down the stretch. A month ago "Igor" was waving us off the ice like we were a joke. Eat shit, you cocky bitch. And then a quick glance at the Rangers board shows they're fuming with....Georgiev. For what, exactly? One soft goal? Domingue must be in their heads a little. Not because he's unbeatable. But bc Mr. Spicy Pork who was meant to be sitting on his ass this spring just played them into a 2-1 hole.
3. The mini-collapse at the start was interesting. Against the Isles in 2019 and Habs in 202, we've had a very early goal in a loud, playoff building that tore the roof off the place. Only to give one up right afterward. It happened tonight and it didnt matter because we then grabbed the next three. And it was the 3rd and 4th line guys that went nuts
4. Speaking of which, E Rod. What the hell? That 4th goal was so smooth, and he suddenly looked like he had his mojo back after 4 months. PLEASE tell me this guy is getting it going. E Rod, Carter, Zucker and Heinen deserve massive props tonight.
5. Heinen scored with 9 minutes left, and the team went with a lower risk style, breaking up the NZ, and gave the Rangers almost nothing the rest of the way. And we were still winning puck battles, working in the corners, and keeping our foot on the gas. I only say this, because IT CAN BE DONE. Sometimes it feels like this team only gets huge leads to fritter them away.
I know its an aphorism, but in every sense of the word "that was Pens Hockey". All of it. The quick strike offense. The complete collapse. The coach sitting on his hands. The (likely) Coach and Captain slapping sense into everyone in the 2nd INT and flipping the switch. I hate the way they got there, but it's definitely a game none of us will ever forget.
And if they can just forget the bad parts, and remember they can score in bunches, I love our chances on Monday.