RECAP: Penguins need shootout to finish the comeback, beat the Blackhawks 3-2

Pregame Notes

The Penguins (9-6-1) are back home after their 4-3 win against the Islanders on Thursday to play host to the Chicago Blackhawks (5-7-3).

Lineups:

Not much has changed for the Pens from last game. Kris Letang has officially been listed as ‘week-to-week.’

1st Period

Around five minutes in, Dominik Simon clanked the biscuit off the iron, then was followed up by a nice move from Alex Galchenyuk, but no puck found the back of the net.

With this being Olli Maatta’s first game in Pittsburgh since being traded in June, he was welcomed back with a nice tribute video:

Patrick Kane was penalized with less than a minute left in the period for hooking Alex Galchenyuk.

The two teams really came out of the gate flying into each other’s zone, however through 20 minutes of play, both teams left the ice still in a 0-0 tie.

Numbers:

2nd Period

The power-play still looked discombobulated and did not lead to the opening goal.

Four minutes into the period, Jack Johnson was called for tripping. Seconds later, Brandon Tanev was penalized for boarding Alex DeBrincat. A 5-on-3 ensued for 1:34. The Pens’ PK showed up when called upon to kill both penalties.

A 3-on-1 at the 12:51 mark of the second period led to Dominik Kubalik scoring the first goal for a 1-0 Blackhawks lead:

Moments later, Patrick Kane scored on the rush after the Penguins were trying to respond in the offensive zone:

After a net-front scrum in front of Corey Crawford with the puck eventually crossing the goal line, and a review by the referees, the Penguins were not awarded a goal, but Ryan Carpenter was called for slashing. The penalty was later killed by the Hawks.

Jake Guentzel would get the Pens on the board with four minutes left in the period thanks to a slick feed from Evgeni Malkin. 2-1 Hawks:

The period would come to an end with the Pens only down by a goal.

Stats after forty:

3rd Period

Sidney Crosby was sent to the locker room early on in the period. It looked like he was dealing with some injury to his foot or lower leg.

Six minutes into the final frame, Dylan Strome was called for tripping, sending Pittsburgh to the power-play once again. The power-play was, again, very bad.

Bryan Rust, ladies and gents. He cannot be stopped. All tied at 2 with nine minutes left:

Both teams looked for the all-elusive go-ahead goal, but could not find it before regulation came to an end. The two teams would need extra time to decide things.

Overtime

The Penguins seemingly dominated the OT period, getting a few good chances on Crawford, but no goal here. The shootout came next.

Shootout

Jake Guentzel - GOAL

Jonathan Toews - NO GOAL

Evgeni Malkin - NO GOAL

Patrick Kane - GOAL

Jared McCann - GOAL

Alex DeBrincat - NO GOAL

Penguins win 3-2.

Some Thoughts

• After tonight, Bryan Rust has extended his point streak to six games. There may be no hotter Penguin at the moment, even if his ‘stache isn’t so hot.
• The power-play is still very, very bad. Mike Sullivan split Sid and Geno up on the first PP chance with no success, then put them back together later in the game, but still found nothing. All it takes is one goal to get this ship rolling, but things are not good so far with the man advantage. Where for art thou, Kessel?
• There was no word on Sidney Crosby’s status by game’s end, as he did not return to the game after he left in the 3rd.
• Overall, the Pens played quite well again in the face of adversity, certainly worthy of a win. The next game is November 12 in The World’s Most Famous Arena with a divisional matchup against the Rangers.