Penguins show 'resolve' in OT win despite Panthers' push
JOE SARGENT/ GETTY
Erik Karlsson and Bryan Rust celebrate the latter's overtime goal as the Panthers' Spencer Knight skates off Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena.
Any meaningful analysis of the Penguins' 5-4 overtime win on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena should start and end with this: They're on a four-game winning streak, and they got there by defeating the defending Stanley Cup champions.
That would have been inconceivable a month ago.
No, it wasn't pretty. After goals from Owen Pickering, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Marcus Pettersson had the Penguins up 4-1 early in the third period, three Florida goals in a span of 4:32 erased that lead. The Panthers had heavy advantages in shots, 41-16, and shot attempts, 80-46. Maybe the Penguins could have gotten more out of their goaltending from Tristan Jarry, too.
None of that mattered after Bryan Rust did this in overtime:
"Finding ways to win games in different ways in this league is big," Rust would say afterward. "I think recently, we won a few games in a few different ways. And I think the ability to win games if you're not playing your greatest is a sign of a team that can do something. So, hopefully, we can continue to carry that throughout the season."
That's exactly it. Not that long ago, even a hint of a push from an opponent in the third period would have spelled the end for the Penguins. And games against contenders like the Rangers and Oilers proved to be catastrophes.
The feel this time was different. Even late in the third as the Panthers continued to push, the Penguins didn't get passive as they have in the past. Yeah, they can't keep blowing leads. And against a lesser opponent, maybe this would have been more concerning. This win just felt like more evidence that the Penguins really are turning the tide.
"There's always things we can get better at," Rust said. "Situational things, mindset things, structure things. But for us, showing that resolve and getting these wins, when early in the year we folded when we gave up the lead, I think we stepped in the right direction after they tied it."
Mike Sullivan attributed that to mindset.
"I just think we have a different feeling on the bench," Sullivan said. "What I liked about the group is no one got rattled. It was great conversation on the bench amongst the players. And we were just trying to push back, simplify the game a bit, play more north-south, play straight-ahead and compete. That was the feeling on the bench. That was the mindset. And what I will tell you is that it was very different maybe a month ago, when we were going through that rough stretch."
That rough stretch didn't bury them, at least not yet. Thanks to several other teams in the Eastern Conference off to mediocre starts, the Penguins sit one point out of a playoff spot. One point. With four months left. Plenty of time to gain ground if this turnaround really is real.
The Penguins seem to feel it is. And this game was further proof that confidence and belief can do them a lot of good.
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THE ASYLUM
Taylor Haase
2:08 am - 12.04.2024PPG Paints ArenaPenguins show 'resolve' in OT win despite Panthers' push
JOE SARGENT/ GETTY
Erik Karlsson and Bryan Rust celebrate the latter's overtime goal as the Panthers' Spencer Knight skates off Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena.
Any meaningful analysis of the Penguins' 5-4 overtime win on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena should start and end with this: They're on a four-game winning streak, and they got there by defeating the defending Stanley Cup champions.
That would have been inconceivable a month ago.
No, it wasn't pretty. After goals from Owen Pickering, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Marcus Pettersson had the Penguins up 4-1 early in the third period, three Florida goals in a span of 4:32 erased that lead. The Panthers had heavy advantages in shots, 41-16, and shot attempts, 80-46. Maybe the Penguins could have gotten more out of their goaltending from Tristan Jarry, too.
None of that mattered after Bryan Rust did this in overtime:
"Finding ways to win games in different ways in this league is big," Rust would say afterward. "I think recently, we won a few games in a few different ways. And I think the ability to win games if you're not playing your greatest is a sign of a team that can do something. So, hopefully, we can continue to carry that throughout the season."
That's exactly it. Not that long ago, even a hint of a push from an opponent in the third period would have spelled the end for the Penguins. And games against contenders like the Rangers and Oilers proved to be catastrophes.
The feel this time was different. Even late in the third as the Panthers continued to push, the Penguins didn't get passive as they have in the past. Yeah, they can't keep blowing leads. And against a lesser opponent, maybe this would have been more concerning. This win just felt like more evidence that the Penguins really are turning the tide.
"There's always things we can get better at," Rust said. "Situational things, mindset things, structure things. But for us, showing that resolve and getting these wins, when early in the year we folded when we gave up the lead, I think we stepped in the right direction after they tied it."
Mike Sullivan attributed that to mindset.
"I just think we have a different feeling on the bench," Sullivan said. "What I liked about the group is no one got rattled. It was great conversation on the bench amongst the players. And we were just trying to push back, simplify the game a bit, play more north-south, play straight-ahead and compete. That was the feeling on the bench. That was the mindset. And what I will tell you is that it was very different maybe a month ago, when we were going through that rough stretch."
That rough stretch didn't bury them, at least not yet. Thanks to several other teams in the Eastern Conference off to mediocre starts, the Penguins sit one point out of a playoff spot. One point. With four months left. Plenty of time to gain ground if this turnaround really is real.
The Penguins seem to feel it is. And this game was further proof that confidence and belief can do them a lot of good.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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