Game 27: When shenanigans go too far

Pittsburgh's 4-3 overtime win against Buffalo turns into a lesson about keeping your cool

(Photo: Joe Yerdon)

BUFFALO — Seeing Buffalo Sabres star Jeff Skinner jawing at an opponent or trading potshots is nothing new but seeing him go too far against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel is an unfortunate new twist.

Skinner played a brilliant game throughout the night and had a goal that completed a beautiful setup from Casey Mittelstadt and Tage Thompson. But it was late in the third period when goalie Craig Anderson covered the puck in the crease after Guentzel shot and was followed by both Guentzel taking a poke at his glove and Rickard Rakell on the other side taking a light whack.

One play doesn’t always decide a game, but sometimes an unfortunate series of events can so let’s make a rather dated reference:

Jeff Skinner tried to keep it real and keeping it real went wrong.