With tonight's game against the Hurricanes, the Penguins begin their final homestead of the regular season. Would they start off with a win? Let's get to the recap to find out!
Pregame
Coach Sullivan has announced that Chris Kunitz will be sidelined with a "longer-term" lower-body injury. Matt Murray would also be between the pipes for the Pens.
Here are the #Pens' line combinations for tonight's contest. pic.twitter.com/3HrsohOVmo
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 2, 2017
1st Period
Halfway through the period, Jake Guentzel looked to have had a tip-in goal, but it was disallowed as the puck was frozen by Eddie Lack beforehand. Just a few moments later, Patric Hornqvist was tripped by Klas Dahlbeck, giving the Pens their first power play of the evening.
Guentzel would not be denied, as he would get the PPG to give the Pens a 1-0 lead! Chad Ruhwedel and Nick Bonino got the assists on the goal.
Jake Guentzel: 2 goals in his last 2 games and 12 points (6G-6A) over his last 11 games. Nice. pic.twitter.com/c26epCOQqi
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 2, 2017
Jeff Skinner would tie the game right back up at 1 at the 13:21 mark of the period.
[Goal GIF] @lindholmelias gets his own rebound and @JeffSkinner steals the goal! #Redvolution #CARvsPIT pic.twitter.com/dMURqxLy2y
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) April 2, 2017
The Pens and 'Canes both traded chances, but would end the period at 1-1.
2nd Period
The Pens came out of the intermission with a bit more pep in their step.
Eight minutes into the 2nd period, Scott Wilson would win a battle in front of Eddie Lack and get his 8th goal of the season to put the Pens up 2-1! Carter Rowney notched the lone assist on the goal.
Scott Wilson has 2 goals in 2 straight games against Carolina. pic.twitter.com/BoaIDturK1
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 2, 2017
Here is Sidney Crosby doing Sidney Crosby things.
my god, sidney crosby is flipping pancakes out here pic.twitter.com/LHTop0p4Yx
— Evgeni Malkin's Ego (@EvgeniMaIkinEgo) April 2, 2017
Wilson's tally would prove to be the difference maker after two periods of play.
And here are some stats through the 2nd period...
Here's some stats after the 2nd period. We're leading where it counts! pic.twitter.com/xKoATLvlV2
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 2, 2017
3rd Period
Former Penguin, Lee Stempniak, was called to serve a delay of game penalty.
Conor Sheary scored his 22nd goal of the season and gave the Penguins' their third goal of the game.It was another power play goal, this time at the 5:07 mark of the 3rd period. Hornqvist and Phil Kessel received the assists for the goal.
That was Sheary-ously a gorgeous shot. pic.twitter.com/z1Ls5jWT1N
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 2, 2017
Matt Cullen would then be given a double-minor and be sent to the box for a high-sticking penalty to put the 'Canes on their first power play of the evening.
The Hurricanes would answer with a power play goal of their own. It was scored by Justin Faulk. The lead was down to one goal. However, the Pens would kill off the second portion of the double-minor and return to full-strength.
[Goal GIF] @JustinFaulk27 with a rocket off the boards! #Redvolution #CARvsPIT pic.twitter.com/zDLvNs6nQl
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) April 2, 2017
[Goal GIF] @JustinFaulk27 with a rocket off the boards! #Redvolution #CARvsPIT pic.twitter.com/zDLvNs6nQl
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) April 2, 2017Ian Cole was sent to the box for another high-sticking penalty, but this one would only be for two minutes. The Pens killed it off and we returned to 5-on-5 action.
The Pens didn't face a ton of action down the stretch, and as a result, walked out of PPG Paints Arena with a 3-2 win!
2 out of 3 stars and a win? We'll take that any time. pic.twitter.com/RZFMAwgZzM
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 2, 2017
2 out of 3 stars and a win? We'll take that any time. pic.twitter.com/RZFMAwgZzM
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 2, 2017Final Thoughts
- The Penguins power play looked really good as it connected two times tonight. Hopefully this can carry over.
- Sid and The Kids were wreaking havoc once again tonight. The chemistry of that line is something else.
- Eddie Lack made a few huge saves, especially as the game was reaching its conclusion, to keep the game as close as it was.
- Jordan Staal was fairly noticeable against his former team. Murray made a really nice save on the former Penguin in the 2nd period.
- Overall, it was a nice showing by the Pens and they were given two well-deserved points. The Pens will take this win as Columbus comes to town on Tuesday for a huge game...