Crosby Scores in Shootout, Penguins Defeat Sharks 2-1

The San Jose Sharks were coming off a huge emotional win in Boston less than 24 hours ago.  The Pittsburgh Penguins have had 72 hours to think about their defeat in which they were shutout by Detroit 3-0.  In a statement game for a struggling team sitting one spot out of a playoff spot, they stood toe to toe against the best team in back to back games in the NHL, as a goal by a hometown hero and the lone shootout point by the youngest captain in NHL history gave the Penguins the extra point in a 2-1 victory over the Sharks in Pittsburgh.

The game was wide open throughout the night, but the constant offensive rushes generated by both sides were negated with excellent goaltending.  The teams combined for a total of 73 shots.  Brian Boucher, the backup goalie for San Jose, made 35 saves on 36 shots, while Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 36 of 37 for the Penguins.  Several of the saves by both goaltenders were on odd-man rushes or set plays, but the game remained low scoring.  With less than two minutes to go in the second period, Bill Thomas, a native of Pittsburgh, scored his first goal as a Penguin to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead.  But halfway through the third, the Sharks generated heavy pressure in front of Fleury, and finally a redirected pass reached Joe Pavelski's stick, who roofed the puck to tie the game 1-1.
There were only 3 shots in overtime, with the 1 shot advantage to San Jose, but the Sharks spent most of the period killing off a penalty.  In the shootout, the first two attempts by both teams were stopped.  However, Sidney Crosby stepped in for the Penguins and used quick hand movements to freeze Boucher and put the puck between his legs.  Dan Boyle came in for the Sharks with the game on the line, and almost put it past Fleury on the backhand, but Fleury just got his right foot out to seal off the corner of the net and secure the 2-1 win.

The game was quick-paced and the offense seemed muddled by the fact that there were rarely any stoppages in play, which resulted in incomplete line changes and mixed personnel on the ice.  That did not stop either side from receiving opportunities, as several breakaway chances were generated but stoned by the two hot goaltenders.  Specialty teams were also not a factor, as the Penguins were 0 for 3 on the power play while San Jose could not convert their lone chance.  The Pittsburgh penalty kill stopped an 8 game streak in which the Sharks have had at least one power play goal.  San Jose will travel to Buffalo on Friday to face another Eastern Conference team desperately trying to squeeze into a playoff spot.  The win for Pittsburgh ties them with the Carolina Hurricanes for 9th place in the Eastern Conference, 1 point away from the Florida Panthers who hold the 8th and final playoff spot.