Pens Initiative

Jussi Jokinen silenced any critics in Carolina Tuesday night with a three goal game against his former team. As part of a ploy to increase cap space, the Hurricanes sent Jokinen to the Penguins, and then agreed to pay part of his salary. Doing the math, The Carolina Hurricanes have paid Jussi Jokinen $300K per goal (against them) this season. Ouch. Thanks for the free candy Carolina.




It started 14:47 in the first with a power play goal from Jokinen and did not stop there. Jokinen really seems like he has found a chemistry with the team and it is showing. On his three goals he got assists from Crosby, Kunitz, Malkin, Maata, and Sutter.

Paul Martin added a goal in the second, and Tanner Glass in the third. It seems Glass has finally decided to make an appearance on the Penguins team and in three games he’s been hard to ignore. For once I mean that in a positive way. Who knew?

Think about this, Glass now has two fights in three games and also has two points. He had two points all of last season. So far Glass has two points in three games and Claude Giroux has ZERO points in four games.

The Penguins allowed 34 shots but it really did not seem to make a big difference. One of the goals given up was a lucky redirect. What has been most impressive to me is how well Fleury has kept his composure. He has given up three goals in three games? I will gladly take it.

Olli Maatta continued to impress by playing over 15 minutes last night, racking up his first two career points. The Pens have a big decision to make with Maatta very soon. Maatta can only play nine games before he has to go back to juniors or he has to stay up with the big club all year. He's not eligible for the AHL because of his age.

It truly seems like the Penguins are rolling and I am not sure who in their division can stop them. They will continue their flight on Friday when they play their first away game at 7:30 in Florida.