* This game was a classic goaltenders' duel. Both Matt Murray and Jonathan Quick were matching each other with fantastic save after fantastic save.
The Pens surrendered a high number of quality scoring chances - much to the chagrin of head coach Mike Sullivan. A major factor was sloppy puck management in the defensive zone leading to turnovers. But fear not. Murray was there to save the day. Whether it was breakaways (Dustin Brown), point-blank stops (Andy Andreoff) or heavy slap shots (Drew Doughty), Murray was there for the denial.
Quick, for his part, was the biggest reason the Kings were in the contest at all. The Pens could have easily scored six goals in this game if not for the spectacular play of the Kings' netminder, Pittsburgh would have easily skated away with a blowout win.
* It was a 90s themed night at the arena and the Pens looked like the 90s version of themselves. Playing fast and loose (a little too loose), and overcoming the hot goaltender with unworldly talent.
* Hockey legend Willie O'Ree, who broke the NHL's color barrier, was in the house tonight. He attended the Pens' morning skate and met up with Ryan Reaves in the locker room afterward. Reaves told O'Ree he would try to score a goal in the game for him.
Reaves had a breakaway in the first period and tried to go five-hole on Quick, but was turned aside by the right pad. No bother. Late in the second period Reaves made true on his word. He found a loose puck near the top of the circle and ripped a nasty wrister beyond the blocker of Quick to give the Pens a 1-0 lead.
* Rookie Zach Aston-Reese played so well in Tuesday's contest against Ottawa that the coaching staff bumped him up to the top line with Sidney Crosby. He responded by scoring his 1st- and 2nd-career NHL goals.
So what did he do for an encore? Aston-Reese scored another goal, his 3rd in 2 games, against the Kings. And he did it by going to the net and screening Quick. The Pens were on the power play and Aston-Reese was given some playing time with the man-advantage unit. He parked his body in Quick's vision and Kris Letang's shot went off of Aston-Reese's skate and in. Sometimes it just takes guts, and a little luck.
Aston-Reese admitted that he didn't think the puck touched him. But a video replay proved otherwise.
*PSYCHE (it was 90s Night after all). Turns out after a review, the NHL changed the goal from Aston-Reese to Letang. Regardless, Aston-Reese's screen was pivotal to scoring. And it should be a confidence boost for Letang to get a tally.
