Alex Pietrangelo thought the Pittsburgh Penguins deserved one last celebration. That doesn't mean he minded crashing the party Wednesday.After catching the end of the Penguins' Stanley Cup banner-raising ceremony, Pietrangelo scored his second goal 1:15 into overtime to help the St. Louis Blues to a 5-4 win in the season opener at PPG Paints Arena.
"Obviously, a special night for them. We're not going to deny that," Pietrangelo said. "They deserve to have that night. Hopefully, we get that opportunity. … We know what it is. You want to come in here and spoil the party."
Pietrangelo scored after St. Louis let a two-goal lead slip away in the third period.
"I'm going to focus a lot more on the positives," Blues coach Mike Yeo said. "Obviously, coming into this building and scoring five tonight. Obviously, this is just the beginning. We've said it before. This is just the beginning of the process.
"I thought it was a little bit of a poise issue. That, for me, is normal this time of year. Things get a little hectic, you don't react well to it."
With the Blues leading 4-2, Sidney Crosby scored on a 5-on-3 power play to cut it to 4-3 with 6:14 remaining in the third and Conor Sheary tied it 4-4 with 5:20 left. Crosby was impressed with how the Penguins battled back.
St. Louis seemed to be in control after Pietrangelo made it 3-2 at 15:37 of the second period and Paul Stastny extended the lead to 4-2 at 3:38 of the third. Pietrangelo scored after Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta tied it 2-2 at 12:37 of the second.
After Schultz put the Penguins ahead 1-0 at 6:37 of the first period, the Blues scored two unanswered goals to take a 2-1 lead. Brayden Schenn, who made his St. Louis debut after being acquired in a trade from the Philadelphia Flyers on June 23, tied it 1-1 at 8:31. Jaden Schwartz received the puck from Schenn and moved it on to Carl Gunnarsson, whose pass hit Schenn's skate and went into the net.
"At the end of the day," Murray said, "I think I just have to make another save or two."
Blues goalie Jake Allen also made 29 saves.
Goal of the game
On his game-winning goal, Pietrangelo dragged the puck around Justin Schultz, and shot off Murray's glove and into the net. Pietrangelo had not scored twice in a game since Feb. 12, 2012, against the San Jose Sharks.
After surrendering two straight goals to let the Penguins tie it 4-4, Allen preserved the tie by denying a point-blank slap shot from Schultz with 2:22 remaining in the third period.
Highlight of the gameCrosby set up Pittsburgh's first goal by winning a battle against Oskar Sundqvist and Pietrangelo along the boards. He then passed to Schultz, who sent a snap shot past rookie forward Tage Thompson and a screen from Jake Guentzel before it sailed past Allen's glove.
"You're playing the defending champs on their opening night. There's going to be no quit in their game, but finding a way to get two points and getting that first win under our belt, I think is huge." -- Blues center Paul Stastny
"I think we played hard. I didn't think we always played smart. … I do think the effort was there. I thought our guys had energy. I thought we had a great start and good momentum. There was tons of energy in the building." -- Penguins coach Mike Sullivan
Need to know
Blues defenseman Vince Dunn and Thompson each made his NHL debut. Dunn had one hit and one takeaway in 15:28 and Thompson had one giveaway in 11:26. … Penguins defenseman Kris Letang played 26:05 to lead all skaters in his first game since sustaining a herniated disk in his neck against the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 21. He had season-ending neck surgery on April 13.
Pietrangelo scored after St. Louis let a two-goal lead slip away in the third period.
"I'm going to focus a lot more on the positives," Blues coach Mike Yeo said. "Obviously, coming into this building and scoring five tonight. Obviously, this is just the beginning. We've said it before. This is just the beginning of the process.
"I thought it was a little bit of a poise issue. That, for me, is normal this time of year. Things get a little hectic, you don't react well to it."
With the Blues leading 4-2, Sidney Crosby scored on a 5-on-3 power play to cut it to 4-3 with 6:14 remaining in the third and Conor Sheary tied it 4-4 with 5:20 left. Crosby was impressed with how the Penguins battled back.
After Schultz put the Penguins ahead 1-0 at 6:37 of the first period, the Blues scored two unanswered goals to take a 2-1 lead. Brayden Schenn, who made his St. Louis debut after being acquired in a trade from the Philadelphia Flyers on June 23, tied it 1-1 at 8:31. Jaden Schwartz received the puck from Schenn and moved it on to Carl Gunnarsson, whose pass hit Schenn's skate and went into the net.
Blues goalie Jake Allen also made 29 saves.
Goal of the game Highlight of the gameCrosby set up Pittsburgh's first goal by winning a battle against Oskar Sundqvist and Pietrangelo along the boards. He then passed to Schultz, who sent a snap shot past rookie forward Tage Thompson and a screen from Jake Guentzel before it sailed past Allen's glove."I think we played hard. I didn't think we always played smart. … I do think the effort was there. I thought our guys had energy. I thought we had a great start and good momentum. There was tons of energy in the building." -- Penguins coach Mike Sullivan
Need to know
Blues defenseman Vince Dunn and Thompson each made his NHL debut. Dunn had one hit and one takeaway in 15:28 and Thompson had one giveaway in 11:26. … Penguins defenseman Kris Letang played 26:05 to lead all skaters in his first game since sustaining a herniated disk in his neck against the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 21. He had season-ending neck surgery on April 13.
Thoughts, musings and observations from the Penguins' 5-4 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues.
* The banner raising was incredibly emotional, and the Pens channeled that into a strong start. They completely dominated the Blues for the first 10 minutes of play. The Pens' speed was overwhelming, as it felt like they were skating circles around St. Louis. They used that speed to force the Blues to retreat, giving them plenty of time and space to set up in the zone. And they took full advantage of it, producing lengthy shift after lengthy shift, which resulted in Justin Schultz finding the back of the net just 6:37 into play.
* If the Pens had sustained that level of play for a full 60 minutes, this would have been a different result. But while the effort was there, the execution just wasn't. As Mike Sullivan said of his team, "I think we played hard. I didn't think we always played smart." Once the Blues got their legs under them and started responding with strong shifts of their own, the Pens just didn't seem to be on the same page defensively. Three of St. Louis' four goals in regulation came from a shooter having the time to tee off from the slot as the Pens collapsed down low in front of their net and appeared to be confused with their coverage.
"I think we gave up three goals off the rush where we had numbers back and we're not recognizing the threats away from the puck," Sullivan said. "Sometimes we're over-backchecking, we have numbers back and we're still giving up quality scoring chances. Those are just details we have to get better at if we're going to have a chance to win games consistently."
* And while the Pens did eventually go down 4-2, they liked the character they showed in coming back, tying the game and getting the extra point. That was mostly attributed to the power play, which came up with a big goal from Sidney Crosby during a lengthy 5-on-3 and created momentum for Conor Sheary to score right after the man-advantage expire. It wasn't always pretty, but the Pens' power-play personnel have so much familiarity with each other - Jake Guentzel is the only "new" addition to that first unit along with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel and Kris Letang - that they were able to grind it out and get the job done.
* The one thing I was looking forward to the most was seeing Letang back in action for the first time since Feb. 21, and he did not disappoint. He nearly scored a goal on his first shift when he received a feed that he fired high. From there, Letang just continued to execute high end plays from the blue line. This morning, Sullivan discussed Letang's ability to be a one man breakout by himself. He said when Letang is in the lineup, their transition game is better, they get out of their end zone cleaner, more efficiently and more effectively. That was absolutely true tonight, as Letang started a number of rushes that resulted in scoring chances, included one shorthanded. He said afterward he felt that he had a lot of jump early on and was able to maintain that intensity throughout the game.
* Sullivan paired the right-handed Schultz with the left-handed Olli Maatta for tonight's game, and I liked those two together. For the most part, they made smart decisions with the puck, especially when it came to putting it on net. They were letting it rip, and each player was rewarded with a goal. No Stanley Cup "hangover" for these two.
* Greg McKegg was impressive during the preseason, earning a spot on the Pens' opening night roster. Sullivan said they were excited about watching his game grow and seeing how he could fit into this group, adding that they had cast him in a certain role where he could play to his strengths. He proved that tonight with his strong two-way play. In addition to being used in shorthanded situations, McKegg used his speed to create a lot for his teammates, setting up Grade-A chances for Phil Kessel, Carter Rowney and Sheary - who converted for the tying goal that forced overtime. McKegg said afterward he was just trying to get his legs under him, use his feet and get on the forecheck, and he was certainly successful in that regard.
* If the Pens had sustained that level of play for a full 60 minutes, this would have been a different result. But while the effort was there, the execution just wasn't. As Mike Sullivan said of his team, "I think we played hard. I didn't think we always played smart." Once the Blues got their legs under them and started responding with strong shifts of their own, the Pens just didn't seem to be on the same page defensively. Three of St. Louis' four goals in regulation came from a shooter having the time to tee off from the slot as the Pens collapsed down low in front of their net and appeared to be confused with their coverage.
"I think we gave up three goals off the rush where we had numbers back and we're not recognizing the threats away from the puck," Sullivan said. "Sometimes we're over-backchecking, we have numbers back and we're still giving up quality scoring chances. Those are just details we have to get better at if we're going to have a chance to win games consistently."
* And while the Pens did eventually go down 4-2, they liked the character they showed in coming back, tying the game and getting the extra point. That was mostly attributed to the power play, which came up with a big goal from Sidney Crosby during a lengthy 5-on-3 and created momentum for Conor Sheary to score right after the man-advantage expire. It wasn't always pretty, but the Pens' power-play personnel have so much familiarity with each other - Jake Guentzel is the only "new" addition to that first unit along with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel and Kris Letang - that they were able to grind it out and get the job done.
* The one thing I was looking forward to the most was seeing Letang back in action for the first time since Feb. 21, and he did not disappoint. He nearly scored a goal on his first shift when he received a feed that he fired high. From there, Letang just continued to execute high end plays from the blue line. This morning, Sullivan discussed Letang's ability to be a one man breakout by himself. He said when Letang is in the lineup, their transition game is better, they get out of their end zone cleaner, more efficiently and more effectively. That was absolutely true tonight, as Letang started a number of rushes that resulted in scoring chances, included one shorthanded. He said afterward he felt that he had a lot of jump early on and was able to maintain that intensity throughout the game.
* Sullivan paired the right-handed Schultz with the left-handed Olli Maatta for tonight's game, and I liked those two together. For the most part, they made smart decisions with the puck, especially when it came to putting it on net. They were letting it rip, and each player was rewarded with a goal. No Stanley Cup "hangover" for these two.
* Greg McKegg was impressive during the preseason, earning a spot on the Pens' opening night roster. Sullivan said they were excited about watching his game grow and seeing how he could fit into this group, adding that they had cast him in a certain role where he could play to his strengths. He proved that tonight with his strong two-way play. In addition to being used in shorthanded situations, McKegg used his speed to create a lot for his teammates, setting up Grade-A chances for Phil Kessel, Carter Rowney and Sheary - who converted for the tying goal that forced overtime. McKegg said afterward he was just trying to get his legs under him, use his feet and get on the forecheck, and he was certainly successful in that regard.
On Wednesday night at PPG Paints Arena, the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrated their 2017 Stanley Cup victory by raising their championship banner to the rafters - their fifth such historic piece of fabric in franchise history.
With the fans in their seats, the arena turned the lights down as the excitement, noise, and anticipation among the 18,652 in attendance - a standing-room only sellout - built up.
It didn't take long for a chant of "Let's Go Pens!" to radiate throughout the building, setting the tone for what was a palpable atmosphere from the get-go.
Paul Steigerwald emceed the beginning of the festivities, alluding to how this was the first team in the salary cap era to repeat.
"This group didn't just overcome adversity," Steigerwald said. "They thrived on it."
The crowd erupted, which is something that could be said a lot during the pre-game festivities.
First came an exciting laser show, where a myriad of colors splashed both on the ice and throughout the upper and lower bowls, thanks to the interactive bracelets that were distributed to each seat.
The bracelets flashed yellow and white throughout the evening, and glimmered red, white, and blue as Jeff Jimerson sang the national anthem.
Following the luminous presentation was a video tribute on the scoreboard, depicting the Penguins' memorable year and their march through the playoffs.
The video began in San Jose, looking back at the Penguins celebrating the 2016 Stanley Cup win at the SAP Center. The video transitioned to various highlights of the 2016-17 regular season before chronicling the team's 2017 Stanley Cup journey, with stops in Columbus, Washington, Ottawa, and Nashville along the way. It concluded with the Penguins celebrating the Stanley Cup in the locker room, capped with champagne, smiles, cheers, and Lord Stanley.
The loudest crowd response came from a shot of Marc-Andre Fleury handing the cup over to goaltender Matt Murray at Bridgestone Arena.
Now the Penguins' No. 1 netminder, Murray started in his first career season opener - which is surreal to think about, considering he is a two-time Stanley Cup champion - and turned away 29 of 34 shots.
"It was awesome, it was really cool to watch that banner go up," Murray said. "It's great, it's a big celebration we earned, but we tried to put it behind us right away."
The crowd rose to its feet and provided head coach Mike Sullivan with a lengthy standing ovation, prompting a smile from the coach. When Mario Lemieux was announced, the crowd's cheers went to a new level as they showed their appreciation for the Penguins owner and legend who now has enough rings to fill a whole hand.
Then came the player introductions, which was highlighted by Sidney Crosby emerging from the tunnel with the Stanley Cup, raising it above his head and then placing it on a podium at center ice. Lifting the trophy for the fans for a second-straight year is something they appreciate, considering none of the Penguins' five championships have been won on home ice.
"Crosby bringing the Cup on the ice, and the way they framed it with the banner going up was perfect," Les Lee said. "I thought the energy here was great. It was fantastic. That's what the Penguins are about, high energy hockey, and tonight really resembled that."
The anticipation only grew as the 2017 Stanley Cup banner was slowly unraveled with the Stanley Cup framed at the foot of the scene. The applause didn't wave and cameras didn't stop flickering, and just as the banner was reaching the rafters, the St. Louis Blues emerged from the locker room - serving as a pleasant reminder that there was still a game to be played and a new season set to get underway.
After the banner raising ceremony wrapped up, the puck dropped on the Penguins' 2017-18 regular season. Pittsburgh battled back from a two-goal deficit in the 3rd period but ultimately fell to the Blues, 5-4, in overtime.
"It's special to be able to do that and see the banner raise," Crosby said. "To share that with the fans and some of the guys who were here last year. It's good, you can turn the page and move on now. but I think that's always a special moment."
Fans who were itching to get back to their second home and enjoy Penguins hockey certainly agreed. A few of them provided their perspective of the special night, documenting how electrifying the energy in the building really was leading up to the game, and how it left a lasting impression on them.
"I thought both (ceremonies were) good, but this year was really great," Greg Wlahofsky said. "The wrist bands, involving us in the light show, I thought it was cool and how it was coordinated was awesome."
"The video was nice," Eric Meuschke said. "It brought back a lot of really good memories."
After questions surfaced last year about whether the Penguins could repeat in the salary cap era, they did, and now the ante has been upped to a possible three-peat. It had been an emotional week leading up to the banner raising ceremony and Wednesday's game, as the players received their rings on Monday.
Sullivan wants the feeling of the ring ceremony and tonight's presentation to ignite the feeling that thrice would be just as nice.
"I think it should inspire us to watch ourselves with some of the highlight reels they watched (Monday) night and the banner raising," Sullivan said. "For me, it's a real remembrance that it's all worth it. All the sacrifice and the commitment that you make to try to achieve the ultimate goal is worth it. And we've got a group that's capable."
It didn't take long for a chant of "Let's Go Pens!" to radiate throughout the building, setting the tone for what was a palpable atmosphere from the get-go.
Paul Steigerwald emceed the beginning of the festivities, alluding to how this was the first team in the salary cap era to repeat.
"This group didn't just overcome adversity," Steigerwald said. "They thrived on it."
The crowd erupted, which is something that could be said a lot during the pre-game festivities.
First came an exciting laser show, where a myriad of colors splashed both on the ice and throughout the upper and lower bowls, thanks to the interactive bracelets that were distributed to each seat.
The bracelets flashed yellow and white throughout the evening, and glimmered red, white, and blue as Jeff Jimerson sang the national anthem.
Following the luminous presentation was a video tribute on the scoreboard, depicting the Penguins' memorable year and their march through the playoffs.
The video began in San Jose, looking back at the Penguins celebrating the 2016 Stanley Cup win at the SAP Center. The video transitioned to various highlights of the 2016-17 regular season before chronicling the team's 2017 Stanley Cup journey, with stops in Columbus, Washington, Ottawa, and Nashville along the way. It concluded with the Penguins celebrating the Stanley Cup in the locker room, capped with champagne, smiles, cheers, and Lord Stanley.
The loudest crowd response came from a shot of Marc-Andre Fleury handing the cup over to goaltender Matt Murray at Bridgestone Arena.
Now the Penguins' No. 1 netminder, Murray started in his first career season opener - which is surreal to think about, considering he is a two-time Stanley Cup champion - and turned away 29 of 34 shots.
"It was awesome, it was really cool to watch that banner go up," Murray said. "It's great, it's a big celebration we earned, but we tried to put it behind us right away."
The crowd rose to its feet and provided head coach Mike Sullivan with a lengthy standing ovation, prompting a smile from the coach. When Mario Lemieux was announced, the crowd's cheers went to a new level as they showed their appreciation for the Penguins owner and legend who now has enough rings to fill a whole hand.
Then came the player introductions, which was highlighted by Sidney Crosby emerging from the tunnel with the Stanley Cup, raising it above his head and then placing it on a podium at center ice. Lifting the trophy for the fans for a second-straight year is something they appreciate, considering none of the Penguins' five championships have been won on home ice.
"Crosby bringing the Cup on the ice, and the way they framed it with the banner going up was perfect," Les Lee said. "I thought the energy here was great. It was fantastic. That's what the Penguins are about, high energy hockey, and tonight really resembled that."
The anticipation only grew as the 2017 Stanley Cup banner was slowly unraveled with the Stanley Cup framed at the foot of the scene. The applause didn't wave and cameras didn't stop flickering, and just as the banner was reaching the rafters, the St. Louis Blues emerged from the locker room - serving as a pleasant reminder that there was still a game to be played and a new season set to get underway.
After the banner raising ceremony wrapped up, the puck dropped on the Penguins' 2017-18 regular season. Pittsburgh battled back from a two-goal deficit in the 3rd period but ultimately fell to the Blues, 5-4, in overtime.
"It's special to be able to do that and see the banner raise," Crosby said. "To share that with the fans and some of the guys who were here last year. It's good, you can turn the page and move on now. but I think that's always a special moment."
Fans who were itching to get back to their second home and enjoy Penguins hockey certainly agreed. A few of them provided their perspective of the special night, documenting how electrifying the energy in the building really was leading up to the game, and how it left a lasting impression on them.
"I thought both (ceremonies were) good, but this year was really great," Greg Wlahofsky said. "The wrist bands, involving us in the light show, I thought it was cool and how it was coordinated was awesome."
"The video was nice," Eric Meuschke said. "It brought back a lot of really good memories."
After questions surfaced last year about whether the Penguins could repeat in the salary cap era, they did, and now the ante has been upped to a possible three-peat. It had been an emotional week leading up to the banner raising ceremony and Wednesday's game, as the players received their rings on Monday.
Sullivan wants the feeling of the ring ceremony and tonight's presentation to ignite the feeling that thrice would be just as nice.
"I think it should inspire us to watch ourselves with some of the highlight reels they watched (Monday) night and the banner raising," Sullivan said. "For me, it's a real remembrance that it's all worth it. All the sacrifice and the commitment that you make to try to achieve the ultimate goal is worth it. And we've got a group that's capable."
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