Penguins Report Card: Crosby Shines, But Simon and Ruhwedel, too?! (+)

On Tuesday night, you may have heard Sidney Crosby scored his 500th career goal. Beyond the milestone goal, the Pittsburgh Penguins win over the Philadelphia Flyers had all the marks of a loss. The Penguins had 14 giveaways, and the Philadelphia Flyers had nine more takeaways, and both could have been scored higher. The Penguins trailed 4-2 later in the third period, and it seemed the Penguins misfired on so many chances.

Yet, the Penguins rallied for a 5-4 OT win at PPG Paints Arena. Because of course, they rallied to win and of course, the Flyers found a way to lose.

Not only did Crosby and Jake Guentzel score, but Dominik Simon finished a beautiful tip sequence and Chad Ruhwedel jumped into the play to score the tying goal.

Before we dive into the chalkboard and report card, head coach Mike Sullivan gave PHN a lengthy answer about his team’s game (we waited until after everyone asked their Sidney Crosby questions to get to the game).

But first, his perfect quote on Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.

“He just represents everything that’s right about our game. His humility, the way he carries himself, his work ethic, his team-first attitude, and approach. He leads by example,” Sullivan said.

Indeed, while Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is the rock star, the wild child with big hits, a water bottle full of Dr. Pepper, and an endless supply of goals, Crosby is the league’s standard-bearer. Crosby plays 200 feet every game, elevates teammates, and probably drinks water. He’ll be remembered as the player who turned the greatest-ever conversation from a quartet (Howe, Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux) into a fivesome.

OK, to the game, the refuse-to-lose Pittsburgh Penguins and the messy chalkboard.