The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to win their third game in a row on Monday night, hosting the hottest team in the NHL, the defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins. The Bruins have won 13 of their last 14 games, roaring back from a slow start to the season. They now lead the Northeast Division with 33 points, just three less than the Eastern Conference leading Pens.
After a scoreless first period, the Bruins struck first in the second to take a 1-0 lead at Consol Energy Center. Gregory Campbell beat Marc-Andre Fleury just seconds after a face-off in the the Pittsburgh zone. Craig Adams was draped all over Campbell, but the Bruins center outmuscled Adams to swipe a backhand at a bouncing puck, chipping it up and over the glove of Fleury.
The Pens had a golden opportunity to respond with a 5-on-3 advantage for a full two minutes, but they were unable to capitalize on the chance. It was a power play full of mishaps.
Instead, Boston would easily kill off the power play and shortly thereafter extend their lead to 2-0. Benoit Pouliot beat Fleury for the two goal lead. Pouliot was racing down the center of the ice when Rich Peverley controlled it on the right boards and put it right on his stick. While on the fly, Pouliot got off a rocket right over Fleury's right shoulder.
Pittsburgh has 20 minutes to slow down the streaking Bruins.