Penguins Burn Flames 5-2
While the Pittsburgh Penguins are having financial problems, they're hitting pay dirt on the ice especially with their power play.
Center Stu Barnes scored two of the Penguins' five power-play goals Wednesday night, lifting the financially-strapped franchise to a 5-2 win over the struggling Calgary Flames.
"Power plays are hot and cold and we've lately we've been pretty good," Barnes said.
He said the off-ice turmoil is being kept out of the dressing room, allowing the players to go out and do their jobs.
"We're just going to play hockey and try to win games, that's all we can really control," said Barnes, adding that the fans have so far stood by the Penguins.
"Obviously, we hope it all works out, but for day-to-day for us coming to the rink it has been really normal, there has been very little distraction."
Brad Werenka, Rob Brown and German Titov also scored for the Penguins (4-2-1), who won for the second time in a row, improving their road record to 4-1.
Jaromir Jagr had three assists for the Penguins, who took a 3-2 lead after two periods in large part thanks to the Flames' penchant for bad penalties.
"We're not worrying about what's happening with the team with the bankruptcy," said Jagr, who dazzled the crowd of 15,112 and the Flames with his flashy skating style and pinpoint passes.
"But it's always great to get out on the road, especially with our team because we have nine new guys. Everybody gets to know each other ... it's easy to find out if you're a good or not."
The Penguins entered the game with the fourth-ranked power play in the league and then went 5-for-8 with the man advantage. Pittsburgh is now 11-for-38 this season with the man advantage for a 28.9 per cent effectiveness rating tops in the NHL.
Jarome Iginla and Valeri Bure scored for the Flames, who dropped to 2-5-1.
"You're not going to win too many games when you give up five power-play goals," said Flames center Andrew Cassels, who assisted on Iginla's goal.
"We've just got to work on our penalty killing and limit the stupid and cheap penalties."
Barnes improved his goal total to four this season, his first coming at 11:19 of the first period on a set-up by Jagr from behind the Calgary net. Jagr slipped a pass across the top of the crease to Barnes, standing at the open side of the goal.
Flames goalie Ken Wregget had no chance on that goal or any of the other Pittsburgh scores.
"They were trying to draw us into penalties, being a little chippy with us," said Penguins defenseman Bobby Dollas. "But we just skated away from it, we don't have guys out there who are going to fight."
"Our game is speed and puck possession, if we keep the puck it's awfully hard for them to score."
Barnes made it 2-1 early in the second period after Iginla had pulled the Flames even at 16:36 wth a power-play goal. Barnes' goal came while Calgary defenseman Cale Hulse was off for hooking.
But Bure tied the game for Calgary with an even-strength goal at 12:37. Werenka's goal made it 3-2 late in the second period.
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