For a few minutes, it looked like the Canadiens would skate the Penguins out of PPG Paints Arena in their home opener. Then the Penguins took hold of the game. The power play was buzzing, so too were Geno and his line, and the Pens took a 5-2 lead into the third period.
If we’ve learned anything over the past 21 years with Sid, Geno, and Letang, it’s that no lead is safe, for either team. The Penguins allowed Montreal to score three times in the third, including twice in the final 68 seconds, to send the game to overtime. Last season, this game seemed destined for an overtime loss for the Pens.
However, Malkin had one last brilliant play left as he slipped a pass over to Novak for the OT winner.
The game shouldn’t have gone to overtime to begin with. Earlier, a Chinakhov goal was wiped out for offside after review. Then, unsurprisingly, the refs missed what looked like a trip on Rakell late in the third before Montreal scored its fourth goal. NHL refs seem directed to ref the score, not the game. It’s beyond stupid and frustrating.
All’s well that ends well, as the Penguins are 2-0 to start the season. The offensive firepower remains elite. So too does the habit of blowing any third-period lead.
