The Pens defeated the Phoenix Coyotes 4-3 tonight after Mark Letetsu’s goal ended a shootout. Eric Belanger and Radim Vrbata both scored in the first period, and the Coyotes had a 2-0 lead, but the Pens came back in the second period with goals by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Wojtek Wolski added another Phoenix goal to make it 3-2, but Chris Kunitz scored near the end of the period. After a scoreless third period and overtime frame, both teams missed their first two chances in a shootout, but after Lauri Korpikoski missed for the Coyotes, Letetsu’s goal sealed the deal for the Pens.
Marc-Andre Fleury allowed the first two goals from the Pens and was pulled in favor of Brent Johnson, who allowed only one goal on 23 shots the rest of the way. It’s getting harder and harder for the Pens to continue starting Fleury, given the disparity in performance between the two goalkeepers. We’ll see what the Pens’ explanation is, though – they pulled him pretty quickly. He also wasn't named the starter until shortly before the game, and the first goal wasn't really his fault. While he misplayed the second goal, the net came loose, and the Coyotes were only awarded the score after a long review, so it may have been that Dan Bylsma didn't want Fleury out there if he thought the circumstances of the goal had shaken his goalie.