Aston-Reese isn't upset.
"It's just as exciting, whether you get the goal or not, to have your team go up 2-1," Aston-Reese said. "All the points - that stuff evens out."
Aston-Reese will certainly get his share of the statistical booty if he stays planted near the opposition's blue paint. Aston-Reese is six-foot, 204 pounds and plays heavy, especially in front of the opposing net.
Aston-Reese, 23, draws comparisons to Patric Hornqvist in that regard. He's flattered by that, but also a bit unsure.
"It's tough for me to say that, because I have so much respect for Hornqvist and the player he is," Aston-Reese said. "What he does is hard to replicate.
"But I like the way he plays. He plays a hard-nosed game, and I try to do my best to replicate that. Developing his skill set the next couple years would be beneficial to myself and the organization."
Displaying grit in front of the net is hardly a unique skill. But it's a craft, more than most, that's based on desire. You can't dangle like Sidney Crosby just because you want to. But anybody can jam the goalie.
Not many do it consistently, though, let alone consistently well. Aston-Reese allows that there's a bit of science to it.
"You kind of take a look at the goalie's tendencies," Aston-Reese said. "Some teams have their D in front of the net, so you try to get off to the side. But with [Kings goalie Jonathan] Quick, he tries to look around the screens, so you've got to take his eyes away.
"That's what happened [on Letang's goal]. I don't even think [Quick] reacted until the puck was in the net."
Lots of goals get disallowed when goalies are interfered with. Aston-Reese does his best to walk that tightrope.
"For me, a lot of it is just feel," he said. "If you feel the goalie is right up on you, you might be a little too tight and maybe stepping in the crease. But you've got to try to get good body position."
Aston-Reese played Division I college hockey at Northeastern University and made first-team All-American as a senior last season when he netted 31 goals in 38 games. He was Hockey East Player of the Year and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey's version of the Heisman Trophy.
In his first six games with the Penguins, Aston-Reese got two goals and an assist. His first NHL goal came Feb. 13 in a 6-3 home victory over Ottawa, and was set up by Crosby. Aston-Reese is currently skating on Crosby's line.
Aston-Reese said he isn't intimidated playing on Crosby's wing.
"Looking at it from the outside, it's easy to see it that way," Aston-Reese said. "I watched him growing up, from his first year in the NHL.
"But as soon as you're on his line, the puck's on your stick, and you're making plays. And he's just a really nice guy. Off the ice and away from the rink, he makes you feel like you're part of the family and part of the team."
Not everything has gone perfect.
Aston-Reese and Crosby had a two-on-none against Los Angeles, but failed to convert when Crosby's return pass to Aston-Reese bounced.
"I was mad at myself that I didn't hit it out of the air," Aston-Reese said. "That's what guys work on after practice just messing around, batting pucks and stuff like that."
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).
