AN UNHAPPY ENDING

DEVILS (2-0-1) 2
PENGUINS (1-1-1) 1
OT
GOALS: SATAN (1)

FLEURY: 49 SHOTS, 47 SAVES (96%)

The Pens' 2008-09 home opener had somewhat of a bittersweet feel last night; there were good times, like officially welcoming back the defending Eastern Conference champions, our first look at a set of beautiful new banners, and witnessing an incredible performance by Marc-Andre Fleury, who saved a career-high 47 shots.

Unfortunately, there were also some bad times, which included being outshot 49-15, a late Patrik Elias goal to tie the score at one, and an incredible Zach Parise goal with 37 seconds left in OT to end it.

Game Notes:

--Power play is at 7.1% through three games. A little room for improvement there.

--Please don't blame their play on the Sweden trip. It obviously wasn't bothering MAF.

--Lots of hockey still to be played. Hang in there.

--The Pens also introduced individual banners for "NHL MVP" and "NHL Scoring Leader". I thought those awards had names?

--Staal and Malkin assisted on the Satan goal. No points for 87, although he did have more DVDs released than anyone else in the league this week.

--Pens outhit the Devils 24-20. That's smash-mouth Pittsburgh hockey for you.

--17,132 at the Arena last night, which is 101% of capacity for those of you scoring at home. The state of the economy obviously doesn't affect Pens fans.

--Eric Godard threw down with Mike Rupp...

..and Hal Gill mixed it up with David Clarkson:

--Fantastic cover to the SI hockey preview issue:

--And in other league news, America's most famous hockey mom, Sarah Palin, dropped the puck in front of a warm Philadelpha crowd:

--Speaking of the Flyers, they bring their act to town on Tuesday. The puck drops at 7:30. Sarah Palin is not expected to drop the first puck.