Penguins Jar(ry) Panthers, 5-4, in OT

Shortly after Marcus Pettersson scored on a stunning power move worthy of former great Kevin Stevens (who happened to be in the broadcast booth) to stake our Penguins to a shocking and seemingly insurmountable 4-1 lead over the Panthers, I received a text from PP colleague Caleb DiNatale.

RICK! WHAT’S HAPPENING? Why are we doing so well against a contender?

My answer, or attempt at one, amounted to a textual shrug of the shoulders.

I confessed I didn’t really know why we’d improved so suddenly and dramatically, then suggested it might be due to a combination of factors, all working in harmony.

Mike Sullivan airing the boys out and lighting a fire under our collective behinds at practice, for one. The return of Blake Lizotte from IR for another. Lizotte has replaced Lars Eller at third-line center and injected a desperately needed shot of speed, juice and spirit, to say nothing of offense. It’s no coincidence we’re 7-2-2 with Lizzo in the lineup.

Then there’s the play of newcomer Philip Tomasino (the perfect addition?) and rookie defenseman Owen Pickering.

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