Only a minute into the game, Kris Versteeg hit a wide open Tomas Fleischmann alone in front of the net, but Flash couldn’t get the lumber on the rubber. Stephen Weiss found Versteeg just a minute later with another wide open net, but Versteeg also barely missed.
Are you sensing a pattern?
Soon afterward, Krys Barch and Arron Asham decided to drop the gloves and have at it. Barch was the nominal winner, although both were assessed identical fighting minors.
Pittsburgh actually collected the first six shots on goal, not allowing Florida to log a shot until a Jason Garrison one timer was unleashed with seven minutes gone in the first and the Panthers had been on a power play for a full minute. Pascual Dupuis had tripped Tomas Kopecky for Florida’s first man advantage.
At the 12 minute mark, Pittsburgh would enjoy their first power play of the evening when Stephen Weiss was called for tripping James Neal. Four clears, three goalposts and two blocked shots later the Cats killed the penalty. The Panthers were at even strength for a total of six seconds when Kris Versteeg was called for a slashing penalty, which was also successfully killed.
Mike Santorelli found a streaking Krys Barch down the left side of the ice with three minutes remaining but Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury stoned him cold, freezing the puck on the save.
The Penguins failed to capitalize on a Chris Kunitz breakaway, with Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen making the point blank save.
Hits: Penguins, 13-12
Blocked Shots: Panthers, 3-2
Faceoffs: Panthers, 12-9
Shots On Goal: Pittsburgh, 18-6
Score: Panthers 0, Penguins 0