First for Sabourin

Before Monday night Dany Sabourin had only started in one game against the Boston Bruins, and lost. However a loss is not what TD Bank North Garden held from him in his first start of the 08-09 season.

Making spectacular saves throughout the night Sabourin made the winning save when it came down to the B's fifth shooter in the shoot-out. He also stopped 35 of the 36 shot he faced in regulation.

Late in the first period Miroslav Satan stepped back onto the ice after serving two minutes for hooking. Crosby and Malkin, two NHL leading scorers, assisted on the rebound at 18:51.

Also in the first period Pens' tough guy Eric Godard, who was signed as a free agent this summer, fought Shawn Thornton. Godard received another win after toppling Thornton to the ice.

Mid-way through the second Jordan Staal was sent to the box for holding, and not but a minute later the B's had themselves on the board. Phil Kessel took a beauty of a shoot after an equally beautiful set up by Andy Ference. David Krejci also assisted on the power play goal at 13:53.

From there the score remained tied at one through the remaining twenty minutes. The game was intense with hard hits from both teams and at tussle in the corner involving Sidney Crosby & Marc Savard.

Overtime involved a span of three-on-three play when Marc Savard was sent to the box for hooking at 1:35 and Jordan Staal for slashing at 3:25.

The buzzer rang signaling the end overtime and that the game was going to a shoot-out. Dany Sabourin made saves on Bergeron, Ryder, Krejci, & Savard; he was unable to stop Phil Kessel. Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby, and Miroslav Satan were stopped by Bruin goaltender Tim Thomas. Petr Sykora scored a beautiful backhander and Evgeni Malkin scored the game-winner on Thomas' stick side.

The three stars were 3. Phil Kessel, 2. Dany Sabourin, 1.Evgeni Malkin.


Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), and Matt Cooke (rib) all missed the game along with healthy scratches Bill Thomas and Darryl Sydor. Paul Bissonnette made his first road start.

It will be a battle of the Staals when the Pens take on the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday in Pittsburgh, Eric and Jordan will "face-off" at 7:38.