Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Derick Brassard makes his Penguin debut

By: MF, 

Some big news to report for the Pittsburgh Penguins before tonight's game against the New Jersey Devils.

General Manager, Jim Rutherford announced that Patric Hornqvist has been signed to a five-year contract extension with an average annual value of $5.3 million. It's very rare for Rutherford to make contract deals in the middle of a season, but it was important to tie down Hornqvist as soon as possible.

On to other news, Tristan Jarry was recalled from Wilkes/Barre-Scranton as Matt Murray is out with a concussion. He will be backing up Casey DeSmith tonight.

In addition, Derick Brassard will be making his debut as a Penguin. His debut couldn't come at a better time as the Penguins are playing at home, so he should get a very warm welcome to Pittsburgh.

I am excited to see the new lines get to work for the Penguins and put some points on the scoreboard. Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Guentzel - Crosby - Rust
Hagelin - Malkin - Hornqvist
Sheary - Brassard - Kessel
Kuhnhackl - Sheahan - Rowney

Defense
Dumoulin - Letang
Maatta - Schultz
Hunwick - Oleksiak

DeSmith in the net!

Play - by - Play
Pens 2 Devils 3


3rd Period
0:00 - The Devils hang on to get the 3-2 win over the Pens. Tough loss. 

0:27 - Pens call a timeout. 

0:32 - I have to say that Schultz has been awesome in this last minute of play. Some great plays to keep the puck in the zone and stopping the Devils from getting an empty net goal. 

1:40 - Pens have an empty net. 

3:02 - Letang fires a hard shot that bounces off the boards to the side of the net. Rust just misses the puck at the side of the net. He had a wide-open chance there. 

4:01 - DeSmith with two quality saves back-to-back. Devils still pressuring. 

4:57 - Kinkaid has been solid in net for the Devils and has kept the Pens at bay. Things have tightened up this period.

8:00 - Some good scoring chances for the Pens, but Kinkaid holds strong and the Devils with some solid blocks. 

10:21 - Still a fast-paced game and the Devils are not sitting back after regaining the lead. 

14:59 - Stefan Noesen scores. Noesen is able to redirect the puck right in front. The puck finds a small hole. 3-2 Devils 

16:45 - Devils pressuring the Pens in the offensive zone. A ton of blocked shots by the Pens and they end up icing the puck. Lots of tired bodies on the ice for the Pens. 

20:00 - Time for the third period! The Pens need to continue to push the Devils and put the pressure on Kinkaid. Lets Go Pens! 


2nd Period
0:00 - Second-period horn sounds and this game is tied 2-2. 

0:45 - Crosby's point-blank shot in front is gloved up by Kinkaid. 

2:58 - HUNWICK SCORES! Crosby lays a big hit behind the goal and is able to free the puck up for Guentzel to take along the boards. Guentzel passes the puck to the front the slot area and Hunwick is able to redirect it past Kinkaid. 2-2 tie game. 

3:40 - Sheary had a chance at a wide-open net, but he mishandles the puck and can't get a shot off. He was very frustrated after that shift. 

8:12 - The Pens are playing sloppy and are letting the Devils have their way in the offensive zone. 

11:56 - Power play time expires for the Pens. Devils with the better scoring chances even though they were on the penalty kill. 

13:56 - A huge power play chance for the Pens as Brian Boyle is called for holding. 

14:14 - The Devils are charging right up to the net. DeSmith was able to hold strong, but he shouldn't have to deal with players right up in his face almost every shift. 

15:35 - Taylor Hall scores on the power play. The puck goes right off the crossbar right to Hall, who is all alone at the side of the net. He puts it in the open net. 2-1 Devils  

17:00 - Michael Grabner gets behind the defense and has a breakaway chance. DeSmith denies him, but Letang is called for slashing on the play. Devils to the power play. 

17:15 - Brassard makes a beautiful play in front. He tries to find Guentzel at the far post with a backhander through his legs in front of Kinkaid. What a move. 

18:21 - Power play time is up for the Pens. 

20:00 - Time for the second period! The Pens still have 1:39 left to go on their power play. They need to capitalize and regain the lead off this power play chance. Lets Go Pens! 


1st Period
0:00 - The first period comes to an end and things are tied 1-1. 

0:21 - A late power play for the Pens as Ben Lovejoy is found guilty of hooking. 

1:07 - Letang and Wood are set free. 

1:17 - Malkin's backhander is turned away by Kinkaid. 

3:07 - Miles Wood will head to the box for unsportsmanlike conduct against DeSmith, but he won't be alone as Letang will also be ticketed for checking. 

3:09 - DeSmith holds strong and is able to cover up the puck for a whistle. The Devils are crashing the net and getting physical with DeSmith. 

4:12 - Kessel gets time and space down the win, but he fires one wide. 

7:41 - Kyle Palmieri scores. Palmieri enters the zone and changes the shooting angle as he uses Oleksiak as a screen. His shot beats DeSmith short-side. 1-1 tie game. 

11:43 - CROSBY SCORES! Dumoulin fires a shot from the blue line with Crosby stationed in front. The puck goes off a Devil skate and the pads of Kinkaid. The puck ends up loose in the blue paint. Crosby finds the loose puck and puts it in the open net. Devils challenge for goalie interference. It's called a good goal and the Devils lose their timeout. 1-0 Pens

13:42 - Shots are tied at 4 for both teams.  

17:54 - DeSmith absolutely robs Pavel Zacha with an outstretched blocker/stick save. 

18:37 - Keith Kinkaid robs Hornqvist on a point-blank shot. Brassard is out to take his first shift as a Penguin. 

20:00 - This game is underway! The Pens need to take control of this game early and not let up on the Devils. Lets Go Pens! 

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