Pens lose in shootout – Kris gets his first goal of the season!
Last night’s game against the Oilers was intense! Kris got his first goal of the season – it was a nice one! (check the videos to view it) Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored in the 3rd period, tying the game up. The Pens lost in the shootout, with James Neal scoring the only Pen’s shootout goal. Despite it being a loss, a great game of hockey was played! On to the media recap!
MONSTER EFFORT
Defenseman Kris Letang put forth yet another impressive effort for the Penguins on Sunday, scoring his team’s only goal in their 2-1 shootout loss to Edmonton. Letang now has five points (1G-4A) through three games, tying him for the league lead.
The 24-year-old shouldered a monster workload despite playing the night before in Calgary and didn’t seem any worse for wear, skating a team-leading 29:16 minutes – almost six more than the next-highest total.
It looked like he never left the ice during the overtime period, and he hardly did – playing just over three out of five minutes. Letang showcased his speed and slick hands during the extra session, having a bit more space (overtime rules dictate the teams skate 4-on-4) to jump up and lead rushes.
“I think this was his strongest game,” head coach Dan Bylsma said. “He was the one guy who maybe had a lot of energy – bursts of energy – late in the game there in overtime. He looked like he could end it a couple times in breaks that he got in there and second chances. He was strong.”
Letang looked more confident than ever manning the center point on Pittsburgh’s first power-play unit, which has now scored at least one goal in each of the Penguins’ first three regular-season games. He finished with six shots on goal and had two more attempts blocked.
Oilers 2, Penguins 1, SO
Associated Press
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins made an impact in his NHL debut.
The first pick in this past summer’s NHL draft scored the tying goal for Edmonton with less than five minutes left in regulation, and the Oilers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in a shootout on Sunday night.
“Going into the game I was really nervous, but I tried to use that to my advantage,” said Nugent-Hopkins, who played his first NHL regular-season game. “It felt pretty good. … it was really exciting. But, I’m more excited about the win.”
Ales Hemsky scored the shootout winner and the Edmonton Oilers started off the season with a win.
Kris Letang scored for the Penguins, who were without Evgeni Malkin. The center left after the pregame skate with what appeared to be a lower body injury. –> Rest of recap
| PPG – Kris Letang, Slap Shot – Assists: S. Sullivan & T. Kennedy |
