Stanley Cup Playoffs 2017: Phil Kessel goes top shelf on Bobrovsky (Video)

Phil Kessel has arrived for the Stanley Cup Playoffs after beating Sergei Bobrovsky top shelf.

Last year, Phil Kessel of the Pittsburgh Penguins became a Stanley Cup champion. In the process, he inserted himself into hockey folklore by proving why the Toronto Maple Leafs were wrong to give up on him. Kessel’s off to a good start this year in the playoffs after beating Sergei Bobrovsky top shelf to make it 2-0 Penguins.

He also picked up a huge assist in Bryan Rust’s goal, the first of the game, by kicking it right to him off his skate. Kessel has been all over the ice making plays so far in the playoffs. This should come as a surprise to no one. Throughout his career, all Kessel has done is show up big in the postseason. In 47 playoff games, he has 24 goals and 45 points. 22 of those points came during the Penguins’ 2016 Stanley Cup run.

After getting outshot 16 to three in the first period, Pittsburgh has awoken. Despite losing Matt Murray in warmups, thanks to Marc-Andre Fleury, the Penguins are keeping the Blue Jackets at bay. Without Kris Letang, Pittsburgh’s looking pretty good, albeit in a small sample size. Meanwhile, Columbus is off to a terrible start. Vezina Trophy contender Sergei Bobrovsky is off to a bad start, allowing two goals despite the Blue Jackets outshooting the Penguins.

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Pittsburgh is showing why they won the Stanley Cup last season. They have so much skill, it’s hard to stop all of it. Especially if Kessel’s out sniping top shelf. Should they win the Stanley Cup, it will be the franchise’s fifth, including their third with Sidney Crosby. The road ahead of them is tough, but this team has been through worse.