2 Goals, 2 Assists … Like he never missed a beat.

Welcome back Sid!

Game number two is in the bag.  And the Penguins kept the good things going early in the season.

In beating the Calgary Flames 5-3 last night, the Penguins netted another two power play goals (Niskanen and Malkin) and held the Flames to just 20 shots on goal.  The Penguins added goals from Mr. Tyler Kennedy (1), Craig Adams (1) and Jordan Staal EN (1) to improve to 2-0 on the young season.  Fleury got his second win of the season.

The Penguins power play managed 10 shots on net.

James Neal added notched an assist.

Jordan Staal and Matt Niskanen where the only two Penguins to notch more than a point with a goal and an assist each to give the Penguins a well balance attack.

Tonight the Penguins head to Edmonton to face the Oilers who have not taken to the ice yet this season.

This NHL is really pumping out its “History will be made” commercials and promos right now. Fleury’s “History Stops Everything” after his shutout in game 1 against the Bolts was good. But James Neal has now gotten one just because he finally scored a goal. What a reward! Come on, not that I am not happy for Neal for salvaging game 4 in double OT, but has Double AA, Arron Asham, aka The Chief, who has already scored 3 goals and tallied an assist gotten a commercial yet? How about Tyler, that’s Mister Kennedy to you, Kennedy who has 2 goals and help carry the team down the stretch? What about these guys?

Anyway, congrats to Neal. Take a look at his commercial. Now here’s hoping he fills the net a little more in coming games.

The Penguins are making another run for Lord Stanley’s Cup this year and while they get a lot of credit for their offensive domination of opposing teams, their defense is playing among some of the league’s best hockey heading into the new year.

Pittsburgh’s goal scoring prowess is unquestionable. They are third in the league in goals scored at 124 behind only San Jose (127) and Washington (139). Don’t forget, that was with literally a third of their roster sitting out for the better part of a month due to injuries too including Evgeni Malkin.

But the Pen’s defense was decimated too! Making it all the more impressive that they are 8th in the league in goals allowed with just 97. That differential of +27 is 5th in the league heading into tonight’s action against the Toronto Maple Leafs who are the exact opposite at -27 (109 goals for and 136 goals allowed).

Marc-Andre Fleury is a big reason for those good numbers on defense too. His 22 wins are tied for second best in the NHL and .911 save percentage and 2.39 save percentage are big contributors to the team’s winning.

The Penguins ended an important road trip a perfect 5-0 by defeating the Washington Capitals in a shootout Sunday 4-3. The win keeps the Penguins in the 8th and final playoff spot in the East. The Penguins were lead Sunday by newly acquired Bill Guerin who had three points (1G, 2A) and also got tallies from Crosby (25) and Gonchar (3) during the sixty physical minutes of regulation.

The Pens dominated through the first forty minutes of play carrying a 3-1 lead into the final period but break downs early in the third lead to Washington evening the score on two goals in the first 1:18 of the frame. Both teams traded scoring chances for the rest of the game and eventually wound up in the shootout. Fleury was perfect stopping all three shots he faced including Alexander Ovechkin while Sidney Crosby beat Jose Theodore for the win.

Pittsburgh is now 35-26-6 on the season with 76 points and they needed each of the wins they earned on this road trip to climb into and cling to the final playoff spot. Pittsburgh is surging with a record of 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and are returning home to host the Florida Panthers in yet another must win game for position in the post season.