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Pregame
The Penguins (7-3-1) weren't looking to drastically change their formula that allowed them to win their previous two games. This is what the Pens’ lineup looks like:
Ready to play.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 28, 2017
The puck drops at 8:00PM ET on @ATTSportsNetPIT. pic.twitter.com/Di0k3oQk5i
The Minnesota Wild (3-3-2) are looking for their second win in a row. Here is their starting lineup:
It's #mnwild vs. Penguins at @XcelEnergyCtr NOW!
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 29, 2017
@fsnorth | @kool108radio | #FOXSportsGO | #PITvsMIN pic.twitter.com/txNGCRAf2q
1st Period
Both teams produced a very fast, back-and-forth pace early on. Nearly 7 minutes in, the Penguins were awarded a power-play after Evgeni Malkin was tripped by Eric Staal. The Penguins failed to really establish a flow on the PP, and as such, the penalty expired. Matt Murray made a huge save as soon as the penalty expired when the Wild were transitioning to the offensive zone to keep the game scoreless.
With 9:21 left in the period, Conor Sheary was tripped by Mikko Koivu, giving the Pens their second power-play of the period. This time around, Evgeni Malkin was able to score on a deflection, giving the Penguins a 1-0 lead. Kris Letang and the Minnesota Golden Gopher, Phil Kessel were credited with the assists.
GENO! GENO! pic.twitter.com/XulRzTMGNs
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 29, 2017
The Wild would answer back, however. At the 13:36 mark, former Penguin, Daniel Winnik, tied it up at 1. Dad, a.k.a. Matt Cullen would receive the assist on the game-tying goal.
Winnik with a pretty goal for #mnwild pic.twitter.com/9o5yEsXuQd
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 29, 2017
Matt Murray would continue to shine and make some key saves as time dwindled to end the first period with a 1-1 tie.
Here are some numbers from the first period of play:
Numbers. #PITvsMIN pic.twitter.com/CI7H1H1WlC
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 29, 2017
2nd Period
With 14:44 left in the period, Olli Maatta was called for holding, sending Minnesota to the power-play. 2 minutes later, the Penguins penalty-kill unit stood tall and even-strength play recommenced.
The pace of play become considerably slower as the period progressed. By the halfway point of the period, scoring chances became minimal outside of the Minnesota power-play.
With 6 minutes left in the period, the Penguins were granted their third power-play. Minnesota’s Mike Reilly was sent off for goalie interference. The penalty was successfully killed to resume 5-on-5 action.
At the 18:03 mark, Evgeni Malkin was sent to the sin bin for interference. At the same time, Malkin appeared to have injured his elbow when bracing himself for a hit.
Matt Murray was standing on his head and making superb saves as time wound down to the period’s end. Minnesota would then take 3 seconds of power-play time to the third period.
Here are the numbers through two periods of play:
Here's a look at your #PITvsMIN stats through the 2nd period of play. pic.twitter.com/bIPj9cLsxF
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 29, 2017
3rd Period
The penalty that carried over from the previous period was killed off with the score still at 1-1.
At the 4:01 mark of the period, Bryan Rust was sent off for a slashing call. The penalty was successfully killed for the Penguins and Rust came zooming out of the box on a breakaway, but could not convert, keeping the game at a stalemate.
At the 9:03 mark of the period, Mikko Koivu redirected a puck, got it past Murray, and the Wild would take a 2-1 lead.
That deflection goal though #mnwild #PITvsMIN pic.twitter.com/9sO8fcU3SO
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 29, 2017
Matt Murray looked to have been injured in a net-front scrum with about eight minutes left in regulation. Replay showed that Mikael Granlund had kneed Murray in the head, but Murray continued to fight on.
The Penguins created a quick 2-on-1 with four minutes left in the game, but the puck was soon deflected leaving the Penguins to continue to fight for the game-tying goal.
Ian Cole was called for hooking with 1:27 left in regulation. There was no power-play conversion and regulation time soon expired.
The Minnesota Wild would hang on and take a 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh. They are now 4-3-2 on the season and the Penguins are 7-4-1.
Final Thoughts
- Matt Murray was marvelous tonight. Even in a losing effort, Muzz made many big saves to keep this game even.
- When looking for positives, the penalty-kill was 3-for-3 tonight.
- The bulk of this game can be described as a tight, close checking affair and the scoreline certainly reflects that. All in all, this isn't a game to be too concerned with. The Penguins had their share of chances to convert, but you can't win every game.
- The Pens have a chance to right the ship tomorrow when they travel to Winnipeg to try and cool the Jets for the second time this week.