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 It was evident on Friday night when they killed off six power
plays, including one at the end of the game, to defeat the Toronto
Maple Leafs 2-1.
The penalty-killing made two goals by left winger Pascal Dupuis
stand up. The Maple Leafs goal came from defenseman Cody Franson in
an even-strength situation in the third period.
"We have a lot of confidence in our penalty kill to be able to play
in games like this where you have a 2-1 lead and have to kill a
penalty at the end of the game," Penguins coach Mike Johnston said.
"I thought it was a character win when you see guys blocking shots
the way they did."
Goaltender Thomas Greiss, in his third game of the season, also came
through as Toronto stormed his net in the final two minutes during a
power play and with goalie Jonathan Bernier removed for an extra
attacker. Greiss finished with 30 saves while Bernier made 38.
"We were handling the puck way, way too long," Maple Leafs coach
Randy Carlyle said of his power play. "We were trying to make the
stick-handle play. We weren't as sharp with the puck as we needed to
be. They did a good job of forcing things to the outside and
blocking shots.
 The Maple Leafs had their final power play when defenseman Dion
Phaneuf hit Penguins right winger Patric Hornqvist with a hard
check. Center Evgeni Malkin took exception and engaged Phaneuf. Both
were given roughing penalties at 17:46 with Malkin receiving a
double minor.
"Good on him for sticking up for a teammate," Penguins center Sidney
Crosby said. "We stick together. And we got a huge kill there to
finish the game."
The Leafs had their chance but Greiss stood his ground, making a
paddle save that preserved the lead.
"I just saw it bouncing around and I caught it with my stick,"
Greiss said. "I just tried to swat it away. It worked out quite
well. It wasn't quite desperation, but I was definitely battling
hard."
"We have to be better on the power play," Phaneuf said. "I think we
generated some chances. It's disappointing that we couldn't find a
way to push the game into overtime or even win the game in
regulation. I thought we did lots of good things, too, but we made a
few mistakes that cost us."
Dupuis scored his second goal of the game and sixth of the season 15
seconds into the third period to put the Penguins ahead 2-0. Crosby
set up Dupuis for his 40-foot slap shot from the edge of the left
faceoff circle.
Franson scored his third goal of the season -- unassisted -- when
his shot from the right point eluded Greiss.
The Penguins (11-3-1) concluded a five-game road trip in Toronto and
were smarting from a 5-0 loss to the New York Rangers last Tuesday
that ended their seven-game winning streak.
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The Maple Leafs (9-6-2) were trying to avenge a 5-2 loss after the
Penguins' previous visit on Oct. 11.
Each team had one power play in the scoreless first period.
The Maple Leafs came closest to scoring on their man-advantage
situation with right winger David Clarkson's tip-in attempt hitting
the goal post at 14:44 with Penguins right winger Steve Downie off
for hooking.
Toronto's third power play of the second period turned out to
benefit the Penguins.
Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo was penalized for roughing at 15:07. As
his penalty expired, the Penguins cleared the puck and Bortuzzo
caught up to it after he left the penalty box. He took the puck into
the left corner. The Leafs failed to clear it and Dupuis scored on a
tip-in from defenseman Christian Ehrhoff's eventual shot.
Bernier prevented Malkin from adding to the lead soon after with a
fine glove save.
NOTES: D Borje Salming, who played 1,019 games in 16 seasons with
the Maple Leafs, was added to the team's Legends Row. A statue will
be unveiled next September alongside those honoring G Johnny Bower,
C Ted Kennedy and C Darryl Sittler. ... Both teams wore Hockey Hall
of Fame helmet decals for Friday's game. Induction ceremonies will
be held Monday. ...RW Craig Adams played in his 303rd consecutive
game on Friday, the second longest streak in Penguins history. He
moved past C Jordan Staal (302) and trails franchise leader C Ron
Schock (313). ... Penguins D Olli Maatta, who had surgery on Nov. 4
to remove a cancerous growth from his thyroid gland, has resumed
practicing and should return to action in about five days. ... The
Maple Leafs visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. ... The Penguins
will be home to the New York Rangers on Saturday.
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