Mike Matheson may not be known for his abilities and skills on the defensive side of the puck, but he stepped up, figuratively and literally, when it counted on Thursday night.
Late in overtime against the Blues on the road in St. Louis, and up the ice came Colton Parayko.
Parayko entered the Pens’ defensive zone with essentially a 1-on-1 with Matheson, but Matheson did have some help on the other side of the ice and no other Blues’ players nearby.
It would’ve been a good chance for Parayko to try and make a move and get around Matheson with an opportunity to win the game, but Matheson said ‘no thanks.