On a Wednesday night with just three games on the schedule, leave it to the goalies to make sure the NHL festivities remained as low-impact as possible.
2015 NHL scores: Fleury silences Capitals, Flames loss streak hits 3
It was a good night for goalies who weren’t playing in Ottawa.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Well, at least in two of the games. But we’ll get to the defensive garbage fire in Ottawa in just a minute.
The most-anticipated matchup of the night was obviously between the Penguins and Capitals in D.C. It was the 34th time Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby had been on the ice together, but both took a backseat to Marc-Andre Fleury. The Penguins netminder was nearly impenetrable, turning aside 33-of-34 shots against in the win. Most importantly, he made two huge saves on the penalty kill in a second period where the Penguins were outshot 14-4.
The pace way out west at first glance gave the impression the Sharks and Predators would offer the best entertainment of the night. That changed as soon as Sharks goalie Martin Jones and Preds goalie Pekka Rinne made their first of many demoralizing stops. Jones' excellent breakup of a Filip Forsberg and James Neal 2-on-1 combo deal set the tone for the night, as most scoring chances for both sides died as soon as they got started. Jones would ultimately blink, however, and Rinne and the Predators skated away with a 2-1 win.
And then there was Ottawa-Calgary. When the dust settled there had been nine goals allowed, most coming in a back-and-forth third period where neither team looked capable of securing a win. It really speaks to Calgary’s issues that they lost after scoring four goals on the road and holding the lead twice. But one of those two losing streaks had to end. Ottawa’s ended at four, while Calgary lost their third straight.
Scores
Penguins 3, Capitals 1
Predators 2, Sharks 1
3 things we learned
1. Pittsburgh is on the rise
After a slow trot out of the gate, the Penguins have been able to avoid the early-season malaise that's lingered around Anaheim, Columbus and Calgary. Their 3-1 win in Washington on Wednesday was their fifth out of their last six games, The scoring issues seem to be waning, as Phil Kessel looks increasingly comfortable in his new role and the depth scoring starts to emerge. Once Sidney Crosby gets it together the Penguins will finally be the major threat we all expected them to be.
2. Calgary’s already woeful goaltending might have taken a hit
The Flames are just under a week removed from waiving Karri Ramo, last season's starter in net. But if you thought it couldn't get worse at that position you were proved wrong on Wednesday. Jonas Hiller had another shaky night in net (14 saves on 18 shots) before getting bowled over by Bobby Ryan, forcing him to leave the game with an injury. Calgary could be down to third-stringer Joni Ortio and a BTBNL (backup to be named later).
3. This stat might have something to do with why the Predators are atop the Central
The Predators are the only team in the NHL without a first-period goal against. They extend a franchise record to start the season.
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) October 29, 2015
Impact Moment
Here is your weekly reminder that Johnny Hockey is a tiny hockey wizard. He is Hockey Yoda.
Stat of the Night
Sidney Crosby has been held without a point in eight of nine games. That's never happened before.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 29, 2015 Bust.
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