Pens speed gives Predators problems

The Penguins have rebuilt their team since Mike Johnston was fired and one of the key components of that has been the insistence of speed. Phil Kessel was acquired last summer, originally for his shot, but his speed has been a great tool. Especially since he has been paired Carl Hagelin on the second line. That has been the Penguins main speed front but the third and fourth lines comprising of players from Wilkes-Barre Scranton have contributed well too.

The speed was evident in this game too as it gave the Predators fits and caught them flat footed at the start. The Penguins burst out of the gate and took and early control on the game. Kessel, who has been hot lately on the line with Bonino and Hagelin, opened the scoring. The Penguins brought the puck into the zone and Hagelin dished it out to Schultz. The Predators defence left Kessel open and he potted it into the net.

The Penguins were largely in control for most of the period but entered it tied after a late strike by Johansen from Neal and Forsberg. The puck was picked up behind the net and Johansen had an open goal as it completely took Fleury by surprise. Neal would score himself later after taking advantage of Fleury receiving a broken mask from a shot.

However, despite doing his best to get something against his old team the Penguins ran rampant. Kessel scored his second of the game in the second period on the rush down the wing, potting it past Rinne who expected a five-hole shot. For the first time in what feels like a long time, the Penguins powerplay clicked. Not once, but twice.

Letang is having a fantastic serious that should see him coming in the top 4 in the Norris standings. His season continued well as his point shot went through everyone for the first goal on the man advantage. He had a give-and-go play with Trevor Daley for the second before his shot was tipped it by Hornqvist who was sat in front of Rinne.

Rinne was pulled at the end of the second and his stand in, Hutton, had to take over. He did his best stopping 10 of 11 shots but Bonino took advantage of a loose puck in front of the net to make it 5-2 late on. One thing noticeable from this game was how quiet Shea Weber was. The Pens can clinch tomorrow if Boston or Detroit lose in regulation.