Penguins Grades: Team Saving Win? DeSmith & PK Drive Comeback (+)

The headlines were written, the dirt was being shoveled, and the Pittsburgh Penguins’ poor fate seemed to be determined, if not well-earned. Despite a 1-0 score after 40 minutes, the Penguins were clearly the lesser of two teams against the Colorado Avalanche.

The Penguins won 2-1 in OT at PPG Paints Arena, but how they got there is a drama-filled story complete with a surprise ending culminating with Kris Letang’s OT winner.

The sour and dour feelings of the pre-break Penguins were fermenting like a barrel of whiskey. And the fans were getting a little angry, as if they were sampling the product.

Smattering boos began to grow by the second period.

Another bad loss, and the Penguins’ season, or this roster, would be even closer to falling apart.

Yet with a thunderous rally after a mid-third period penalty kill, the Penguins dominated Colorado for the better part of the final nine minutes to tie the game and force OT. The crowd was deafening in support of their team. The energy grew.

That’s not a new script, but the ending was.