Pittsburgh Penguins extend perfect winning streak by overtaking Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 -NHL Update
For some National Hockey League (NHL) team’s, it just might only be the preseason, but for Pittsburgh Penguins, it is much more than that. They proved that they truly are dedicated to be a top Stanley Cup contending club next season by extending their perfect
winning streak to five as they fought off Chicago Blackhawks, 4-2, on Friday, September 30, at the United Center in Chicago Illinois.
With the return of their all-star forward, Evgeni Malkin, back on the line-up, Pittsburgh seems like a totally changed team if their performance last season is taken into consideration. It only creates more possibilities as the Pittsburgh franchise awaits
the return of Sidney Crosby, which without a doubt could possibly make them the best team out there.
Pittsburgh backup goalie, Brent Johnson, had a terrific performance throughout the matchup, even though he was outshot on by Chicago, 37-19, but still managed to block 35 of those shots.
"Our defensemen and forwards tracking back were fantastic and you’ve got to give them praise", Johnson said. "(Chicago was) flying around, especially when they see they’re down a goal and they want to get back in it, you could tell they were forcing everything,
it seemed like their defense were pinching on us and keeping the puck in at the blue line, so it was quite a tough third [period], but we battled and got the win”.
Chicago’s goalie on the other hand, veteran Ray Emery, was finding it hard to keep himself cemented in the net, which could in the end make it hard on him making the team with his current tryout contract. Emery managed to block only 15 out of 19 shots.
Steve Sullivan took a slap shot with less than four minutes remaining in the initial period to put Pittsburgh ahead, 1-0. Matt Cooke and Joe Vitale extended the lead to 3-0, midway through the match.
Chicago Blackhawks prospect, Brandon Pirri, showed another dominating performance by scoring two goals, back-to-back, which carried on into the third period to have the 2010 Stanley Cup champions within reach of the score.
With nearly 10 minutes remaining, Chicago took over 19 shots in the final period alone; hoping to at the least tie up the match, but it was Evgeni Malkin who scored at the 19:18 mark to secure it in their favour.
Both Pittsburgh and Chicago have one game remaining for the preseason against Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals respectively, on Sunday, October 2.
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