PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Just seven goals in its last four games, no offensive stars returned Wednesday night for the Pens. In fact another went out. However all chipped in, 12 different players had points. Pens buried Buffalo 5-1 at PPG Paints Arena.
"The whole team kind of stepped up," said forward Evan Rodrigues. "We obviously had quite a few injuries. It's just going to take a team effort to get the job done night in and night out."
"I think we have a pretty deep organization," said forward Zach Aston-Reese. "I think about Ty Hennes (team skating coach) and the work he does with the Taxi Squad and the guys waiting to get in the lineup. You look at any of the guys that come in, they don't miss a beat. That speaks volumes to the work they put in."
The win puts the Pens 8 points clear of the Flyers for the final playoff spot although Philly has a pair of games in-hand.
New Third Line
The day Rodrigues was dropped down to the third line, he immediately made the move pay off as Sam Lafferty got control with his off-hand, waited for the perfect opportunity to find a streaking Rodrigues 1-0.
"Yeah, a little bit," Rodrigues said when asked if it was special to score against his old team. "It's always nice to get a point against your former team. Just tried to get to the back post and try to find a lane if he (Lafferty) could get it to me. If not, try to bury a rebound. He obviously made a great pass."
Crosby bounce
Up a goal nearing the end of the period, Sidney Crosby grabbed the puck in his office (behind the net), attempted a pass in front of the Sabres goalie that deflected right to a streaking Kris Letang, who took it in stride and buried it feet from the goal for a 2-0 lead.
Forecheck Foreshadow
Hard work led to the Pens getting a two-goal lead back. Good forecheck by Colton Sceviour right after a shift change, then by Zach Aston-Reese and then Jared McCann with a perfect leave into the wheelhouse of John Marino for a blast. The second goal of the season for the Pens defenseman.
Freddy's return
Another nightmare for Buffalo as Freddy Gaudreau working on the penalty kill, knocked the puck out of the air at the point, made a goal scorers move. Without a goal in the NHL since New Years' Eve 2018, Goudreau waited and passed back to Aston-Reese, who buried his 7th and made up for a disallowed goal due to a high stick earlier in the game.
"It was a terrific play," head coach Mike Sullivan said of Gaudreau. "He did a really nice job with a turnover in that end. The rest of it was a terrific play. Just great awareness to draw both players to him and lay it out for Zach to skate into it. It was a great play all around."
"That was awesome, really cool to see," Marino said. "I hope Aston-Reese buys him dinner after that play. Couldn't happen to a better guy."
ZAR didn't commit to buying Gaudreau dinner, but did say he thought he might kiss him after the pass.
"I will definitely, maybe, get his groceries," Aston-Reese said.
"Honestly I had no idea he was going to get me the puck. I was in awe of the play he made. It was a real nice play.
Crosby breakaway
The puck rolled a little on Crosby in the third as he got a pass from Jake Guentzel on a 4-on-4 break away. Crosby was able to short-side it for his 13th of the year and final Pens goal.
Kapanen latest injury
Only word on forward Kasperi Kapanen, who left after the second period, is that he was being evaluated for a lower body injury. The initial problem appeared to come after he took a puck off the lower leg as it was being ripped around the boards.
Up Next
Same two teams, same arena, one-hour earlier faceoff at 7p on Thursday.
