Crosby scores, Saku dives, Getzlaf complains and the Pens fall to the Ducks

Pens lose 3-2 to the Diving Ducks of Anaheim.  I'm sorry, I still can't get over how easily Saku Koivu went down on the Pens third period power play not to mention the dive by Corey Perry.  But, I'm talking opinions here, so onto the +/- segment.

Pluses:

Power Play:  They finally scored tonight.  The power play finally broke their 0 for forever slump with a deflection goal by Crosby.  The first power play wasn't all that great considering the Pens spent some time in their zone.  But the rest of the PPs looked like the Pens of earlier this year, movement of all sorts and they get rewarded.  That goal by Crosby was huge as it stopped the slide.  To that point, the Ducks got all of the bounces.  After that, momentum really went Pittsburgh's way.

Marc-Andre Fleury (late):  Fleury did his job late in the game, holding the Ducks off the scoreboard after their third goal.  If Fleury could pretend he's holding on to a lead when the game starts, maybe he'll win a game with less than 3 goals against.

Sidney Crosby:  Boy, Sid must hate the Western Conference players.  Crosby almost was in his second fight in as many games against Ryan Getzlaf.  But instead of dropping the gloves tonight, Crosby puts up a two spot on the Ducks and was the Pens most influential player tonight.  With Geno not doing very much, Sid's stepping up and trying to put this team on his back.  Tonight it just didn't work.

Minuses:

Evgeni Malkin:  I said it to Brian DeBaldo and a Caps fan who tried to tell me Malkin was better than Crosby, Jaromir Jagr syndrome.  For those of you unfamiliar with this disease that plagues some top NHL players, it's when the player only tries in the offensive zone.  Evgeni Malkin's not a centerman, he's a winger, and it showed.  Malkin's never in defensive position and it showed tonight.  Someone needs to light a fire under him now or he might never get going.

Fleury (early): What's going on with this guy?  At times he's masterful and other times he looks like it's his rookie year again.  With what Johnson is going to do being a question mark, Fleury didn't step up here to take ownership of that starting job.  I'm not bashing, but boy talk about someone who needs a fire lit under him.  If the Pens want to go to the playoffs and be successful, this guy needs to get going.

All in all, the Pens were once again inconsistent.  They need to put 60 minutes together tomorrow in Phoenix to salvage this road trip and get back to .500.

And as a side note, anyone who follows the Pittsburgh Penguins on Facebook should unfollow them.  It's run by fair weather fans who know nothing about hockey.  Please begin a campaign to remove as many fans from them as possible.

And as another side note, I don't like Getzlaf. I think he's a complainer and yes I know he's a captain, but he complains and he runs from fights.  I know Crosby wanted to drop the gloves but Getzlaf ran with his tail between his legs.  Good job sticking up for yourself and your team.  Selanne for Captain.