Ottawa Senators @ Pens 3-6 - Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Zach Aston-Reese scored his first two NHL goals, and the Penguins defeated the Ottawa Senators 6-3 at PPG Paints Arena. Sidney Crosby had an assist on each goal for Aston-Reese, who has three points (two goals, assist) in five games since being recalled on Feb. 3 from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.
"It's pretty easy [to score on one of Crosby's passes]," Aston-Reese said. "He can fire one into pretty much anywhere. … I had an open net [on the second goal]. I didn't want to miss that one."
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said he's been impressed with how quickly Aston-Reese has progressed.
"I think he's getting better with every game that he plays," Sullivan said. "He's a really solid two-way player. He's strong on the puck. He's good on the wall. He goes to the net. He has good awareness away from the puck. He's sound defensively. We can use him killing penalties.
"I just think he's a good overall player. I think he's getting better and better with every game that he plays. He's getting a little more confident."
Jake Guentzel, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang scored for Pittsburgh (32-22-4), which has won nine straight at home and are three points back of the Washington Capitals for first in the Metropolitan Division.
Matt Murray, who is 6-0-1 in his past seven games, made 30 saves for Pittsburgh.
"We played well," Duchene said. "Murray was good early for them and we were outshooting them (by a) 2-1 (ratio) going into the third period and most of the third period too. So, it's tough when you get a few bad bounces and some really nice plays by them. They're one of the top teams in the League for a reason. They're back-to-back champs for a reason.
"They have some of the best players in the League on their team. So, there are a lot of good things, but obviously, in a loss, there are always things you can learn from and clean up."
Guentzel scored on the power play at 4:07 of the first period to make it 1-0. Justin Schultz saved the puck from being cleared twice at the blue line before taking a slap shot that Guentzel deflected past Mike Condon. Brassard tied it 1-1 at 4:18 of the second period. Mark Stone passed to Brassard, who scored under Murray's arm with a slap shot from the left circle.
* Murray's save on Cody Ceci at 8:43 of the second period.* Aston-Reese's goal at 11:22 of the second period.* Crosby has 29 points (five goals, 24 assists) in his past 16 games. … Brassard has three goals in his past four games. … Penguins forward Carter Rowney played after missing practice Monday and morning skate Tuesday. He attempted one shot in 6:36.
"We're using our speed, our forecheck. Turning pucks over. Getting pucks to the net quickly. Not letting teams get set up in their defensive structure. All the stuff that we know we're good at." -- Penguins goalie Matt Murray
"We were playing terrific and the shots were 23-9 for us and the score was 4-1. … I think, as a team, we wanted to come out strong. We definitely did. Shots were 11-4 for us after the first period. We were playing really well. We were playing great. So, a tough night." -- Senators coach Guy Boucher
Los Angeles Kings @ Pens 1-3 - Thursday, February 15, 2018Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said he's been impressed with how quickly Aston-Reese has progressed.
"I think he's getting better with every game that he plays," Sullivan said. "He's a really solid two-way player. He's strong on the puck. He's good on the wall. He goes to the net. He has good awareness away from the puck. He's sound defensively. We can use him killing penalties.
"I just think he's a good overall player. I think he's getting better and better with every game that he plays. He's getting a little more confident."
Jake Guentzel, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang scored for Pittsburgh (32-22-4), which has won nine straight at home and are three points back of the Washington Capitals for first in the Metropolitan Division.
Matt Murray, who is 6-0-1 in his past seven games, made 30 saves for Pittsburgh.
"They have some of the best players in the League on their team. So, there are a lot of good things, but obviously, in a loss, there are always things you can learn from and clean up."
Guentzel scored on the power play at 4:07 of the first period to make it 1-0. Justin Schultz saved the puck from being cleared twice at the blue line before taking a slap shot that Guentzel deflected past Mike Condon. Brassard tied it 1-1 at 4:18 of the second period. Mark Stone passed to Brassard, who scored under Murray's arm with a slap shot from the left circle.
"We're using our speed, our forecheck. Turning pucks over. Getting pucks to the net quickly. Not letting teams get set up in their defensive structure. All the stuff that we know we're good at." -- Penguins goalie Matt Murray"We were playing terrific and the shots were 23-9 for us and the score was 4-1. … I think, as a team, we wanted to come out strong. We definitely did. Shots were 11-4 for us after the first period. We were playing really well. We were playing great. So, a tough night." -- Senators coach Guy Boucher
Matt Murray made 34 saves, and Kris Letang scored the game-winning goal to help the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 3-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings at PPG Paints Arena. Murray, who is 7-0-1 in his past eight games, played in his 100th NHL game (62-24-7). His 62 wins in that span are the most among goalies to debut since 2005-06, ahead of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Antti Niemi (61).
"They're a good team with getting traffic to the net and trying to make the goalie's job difficult," Murray said. "There was some contact there. There were some screens and some tips. So, it's a tough game for a goalie. … Our D were doing a great job of getting stick and bodies, and letting me see the puck. When they do that, it makes my job a whole lot easier."
The Penguins (33-22-4), who have won 10 straight at home, are three points back of the Washington Capitals for first in the Metropolitan Division. Their winning streak is the team's longest since they won a franchise-record 13 straight at home from Nov. 15, 2013-Jan. 15, 2014.
"The game had a playoff feel in the sense that there wasn't a lot of ice out there," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "I thought the third period was one of the best periods we've played in a while in a one-goal game. We stayed with it."
"I thought the team played hard tonight," Kings coach John Stevens said. "Spent a little too much time in our zone. I thought our wall play let us down. … Not enough time in their zone."
Letang's slap shot went through Quick's five-hole on the power play to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead at 5:24 of the third period. Letang has goals in back-to-back games. Evgeni Malkin scored into an empty net to make it 3-1 with 24.6 seconds left. He has 17 points (11 goals, six assists) in his past nine games and 28 points (18 goals, 10 assists) in his past 17. Ryan Reaves gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead at 6:06 of the second period. After intercepting a pass from Alec Martinez, Reaves took a wrist shot from the top of the right circle that went over Quick's blocker. Dion Phaneuf tied it 1-1 in his Kings debut with a power-play goal at 7:22. Ten seconds after Ian Cole went to the penalty box for high sticking, Phaneuf slid a shot under Murray's pad for his fourth goal of the season. Los Angeles acquired Phaneuf and forward Nate Thompson from Ottawa for forwards Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore on Tuesday. Immigration issues nearly kept Phaneuf from making his debut. He said he was told his paperwork had gone through Thursday afternoon.
"I'm very fortunate that they were able to get the paperwork done. When I found out, I was pretty excited about the opportunity to play my first game for this organization."
* Letang's goal at 5:24 of the third period.
"I think we're doing some different things well. Special teams have been pretty good, that helps a lot. We're scoring in different ways, we're scoring gritty goals and some nice ones but we're defending well, so that's the main thing. When we defend well we have the puck more and create more offense, so we have to continue to make sure we do that." -- Penguins center Sidney Crosby
"I thought we played a solid game, obviously. I thought our special teams, minus the goal against, I thought they were pretty good. You can't expect, being on the road and scoring one goal, that that's going to be enough. We just have to find ways to create more and finish more." -- Kings forward Anze Kopitar
Leafs @ Pens 3-5 - Saturday, February 17, 2018The Penguins (33-22-4), who have won 10 straight at home, are three points back of the Washington Capitals for first in the Metropolitan Division. Their winning streak is the team's longest since they won a franchise-record 13 straight at home from Nov. 15, 2013-Jan. 15, 2014.
"The game had a playoff feel in the sense that there wasn't a lot of ice out there," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "I thought the third period was one of the best periods we've played in a while in a one-goal game. We stayed with it."
Letang's slap shot went through Quick's five-hole on the power play to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead at 5:24 of the third period. Letang has goals in back-to-back games. Evgeni Malkin scored into an empty net to make it 3-1 with 24.6 seconds left. He has 17 points (11 goals, six assists) in his past nine games and 28 points (18 goals, 10 assists) in his past 17. Ryan Reaves gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead at 6:06 of the second period. After intercepting a pass from Alec Martinez, Reaves took a wrist shot from the top of the right circle that went over Quick's blocker. Dion Phaneuf tied it 1-1 in his Kings debut with a power-play goal at 7:22. Ten seconds after Ian Cole went to the penalty box for high sticking, Phaneuf slid a shot under Murray's pad for his fourth goal of the season. Los Angeles acquired Phaneuf and forward Nate Thompson from Ottawa for forwards Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore on Tuesday. Immigration issues nearly kept Phaneuf from making his debut. He said he was told his paperwork had gone through Thursday afternoon.
* Letang's goal at 5:24 of the third period.
* Murray's save on Michael Amadio at 17:29 of the second period.
* Phaneuf's goal at 7:22 of the second period.
* Thompson played fourth-line center between Andy Andreoff and Amadio in his Kings debut. He didn't have a shot and won 30 percent of his face-offs in 12:41. … Crosby had an assist on Malkin's empty-net goal. He has six points (two goals, four assists) in his past three games and 30 points (five goals, 25 assists) in his past 17.
"I think we're doing some different things well. Special teams have been pretty good, that helps a lot. We're scoring in different ways, we're scoring gritty goals and some nice ones but we're defending well, so that's the main thing. When we defend well we have the puck more and create more offense, so we have to continue to make sure we do that." -- Penguins center Sidney Crosby"I thought we played a solid game, obviously. I thought our special teams, minus the goal against, I thought they were pretty good. You can't expect, being on the road and scoring one goal, that that's going to be enough. We just have to find ways to create more and finish more." -- Kings forward Anze Kopitar
Evgeni Malkin scored his 900th NHL point, and the Pittsburgh Penguins won their 11th straight game at home, 5-3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs at PPG Paints Arena. Malkin reached the milestone when he scored to tie it 2-2 at 11:51 of the first period. Carl Hagelin passed to Bryan Rust at the right post, who knocked the puck out of the air back across the crease to Malkin, who shot past goalie Frederik Andersen. Malkin, who finished the game with a goal and two assists, became the fourth player in Penguins history to reach 900 points, joining Mario Lemieux (1,723), Sidney Crosby (1,093) and Jaromir Jagr (1,079). He has 20 points (12 goals, eight assists) in his past 10 games, and 31 (19 goals, 12 assists) in his past 18.
"[The milestone] means I play with a great team," Malkin said. "I play here for so long. I always play with great teammates, great linemates. [Penguins coach Mike Sullivan] gives me so many minutes to play. I play power play too, on the first unit.
"It's amazing to be here. I enjoy it every day. It's a good number."
Pittsburgh (34-22-4), which has won four straight games and nine of its past 11, pulled to within one point of the Washington Capitals for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
"I give our players a lot of credit," Sullivan said. "They were playing hard. We had some offensive-zone time. We were hanging on to pucks, and that's how we can control territory and control momentum. We were able to get the fifth goal because of it. So, it was a strong effort on our guys' part."
Andersen made 34 saves for Toronto (35-20-5), which had won five straight. The Maple Leafs are in third in the Atlantic Division, six points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning and three behind the Boston Bruins.
"You want to be playing well against these teams," Andersen said. "We were close to winning again today, but these are good teams. So, sometimes you're going to get the short end of the stick. But it's positive we're playing well, but we have to keep working."
Olli Maatta sent a slap shot past a screened Andersen to give Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead at 7:56 of the third period. The goal was Maatta's first in 26 games. Rust extended the lead to 5-3 at 16:36.
"It's better when those goals get a win. It's a little more enjoyable," Marleau said.. "If you give [the Penguins] chances, turnovers, stuff like that, they'll capitalize. If you limit those, you give yourself a better chance."
* Maatta's goal at 7:56 of the third period.* Matt Murray's save on Nazem Kadri at 13:09 of the second period.* Malkin's goal at 11:51 of the first period.* Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman temporarily left at 9:17 of the third period after Maatta hit him into the end boards. Following the game, Hyman said he felt fine after going through the concussion protocol. … Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner played after sustaining a lower-body injury during Toronto's 6-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday and missing practice Friday. He had one hit and one block in 24:23. … Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz did not play with an undisclosed illness. … Penguins forward Jake Guentzel played his 100th NHL game. He has 63 points (34 goals, 29 assists).
"Personally, I think I just have to get more shots through to hit the net. That might happen." -- Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta
"We generated a lot, but three or four of our best chances, we couldn't get a shot on net. I'd say that was a high-event game. … If you're a fan, you had to be entertained." -- Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock
"It's amazing to be here. I enjoy it every day. It's a good number."
Pittsburgh (34-22-4), which has won four straight games and nine of its past 11, pulled to within one point of the Washington Capitals for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
Andersen made 34 saves for Toronto (35-20-5), which had won five straight. The Maple Leafs are in third in the Atlantic Division, six points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning and three behind the Boston Bruins.
"You want to be playing well against these teams," Andersen said. "We were close to winning again today, but these are good teams. So, sometimes you're going to get the short end of the stick. But it's positive we're playing well, but we have to keep working."
Olli Maatta sent a slap shot past a screened Andersen to give Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead at 7:56 of the third period. The goal was Maatta's first in 26 games. Rust extended the lead to 5-3 at 16:36.
* Maatta's goal at 7:56 of the third period.* Matt Murray's save on Nazem Kadri at 13:09 of the second period.* Malkin's goal at 11:51 of the first period.* Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman temporarily left at 9:17 of the third period after Maatta hit him into the end boards. Following the game, Hyman said he felt fine after going through the concussion protocol. … Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner played after sustaining a lower-body injury during Toronto's 6-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday and missing practice Friday. He had one hit and one block in 24:23. … Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz did not play with an undisclosed illness. … Penguins forward Jake Guentzel played his 100th NHL game. He has 63 points (34 goals, 29 assists)."Personally, I think I just have to get more shots through to hit the net. That might happen." -- Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta"We generated a lot, but three or four of our best chances, we couldn't get a shot on net. I'd say that was a high-event game. … If you're a fan, you had to be entertained." -- Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock
Pens @ Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 - Sunday, February 18, 2018
The Pittsburgh Penguins won their fifth straight game to move into first place in the Metropolitan Division with a 5-2 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Penguins (35-22-4, 74 points) lead the Washington Capitals by one point and the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils by four.
"It feels nice, but we know there's a lot of the season left," said Penguins forward Jake Guentzel, who had a goal and two assists. Riley Sheahan scored twice for Pittsburgh, which has won 10 of its past 12 games (10-1-1) and leads the NHL in wins and points since Jan. 1, going 16-4-1 for 33 points in that span.
Panarin cut the lead to 2-1 at 9:53, redirecting a pass from Cam Atkinson in front of the net, but Sheahan scored his second to make 3-1 at 11:29.
The Penguins scored on three of their first four shots.
"They have a lot of offensive weapons," Atkinson said. "It's tough chasing the game, especially against a team that's so offensive-minded."
Zach Aston-Reese made it 4-1 at 9:29 of the second on the rebound off a Matt Hunwick shot for his fourth goal in his past four games.
"When we got a three-goal lead like that early in game, it's a dangerous lead," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "As much as we're pushing our guys to pay attention to detail and stay on top of it, you're fighting human nature to a certain extent.
"And give Columbus credit. They were fighting all night long. They're a good team. They played hard, they put us under pressure."
Wennberg scored to make it 4-2 at 2:21 of the third period before Guentzel extended the lead to 5-2 at 14:09 with a slap shot from the left circle that beat Bobrovsky short side.
* Sheahan's goal at 11:29 of the first period.* Jarry stopping Matt Calvert at 4:53 of the third period.* Aston-Reese's goal at 9:29 of the second period.* Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz did not make the trip because of illness … Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin had an assist and has 21 points (12 goals, nine assists) in his past 11 games, and 32 points (19 goals, 13 assists) in his past 19. … Blue Jackets defenseman Markus Nutivaara missed the game with an undisclosed injury. He was replaced in the lineup by Harrington. … Columbus defenseman Dean Kukan left the game in the first period because of an upper-body injury. … Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno left the game late in the second period. He did not return after playing one shift in the third. Tortorella had no update, but Atkinson said it appeared Pittsburgh forward Conor Sheary's skate cut through Foligno's sock.
"It's huge for us when we have multiple lines contributing. It's tough for other teams to match up." -- Penguins forward Jake Guentzel
"They don't shoot the puck just to try to take a shot. They create offense, a lot of deflections. They're very smart. It's very challenging to play against them." -- Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky
The Penguins scored on three of their first four shots.
"They have a lot of offensive weapons," Atkinson said. "It's tough chasing the game, especially against a team that's so offensive-minded."
Zach Aston-Reese made it 4-1 at 9:29 of the second on the rebound off a Matt Hunwick shot for his fourth goal in his past four games.
"When we got a three-goal lead like that early in game, it's a dangerous lead," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "As much as we're pushing our guys to pay attention to detail and stay on top of it, you're fighting human nature to a certain extent.
"And give Columbus credit. They were fighting all night long. They're a good team. They played hard, they put us under pressure."
Wennberg scored to make it 4-2 at 2:21 of the third period before Guentzel extended the lead to 5-2 at 14:09 with a slap shot from the left circle that beat Bobrovsky short side.
* Sheahan's goal at 11:29 of the first period.* Jarry stopping Matt Calvert at 4:53 of the third period.* Aston-Reese's goal at 9:29 of the second period.* Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz did not make the trip because of illness … Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin had an assist and has 21 points (12 goals, nine assists) in his past 11 games, and 32 points (19 goals, 13 assists) in his past 19. … Blue Jackets defenseman Markus Nutivaara missed the game with an undisclosed injury. He was replaced in the lineup by Harrington. … Columbus defenseman Dean Kukan left the game in the first period because of an upper-body injury. … Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno left the game late in the second period. He did not return after playing one shift in the third. Tortorella had no update, but Atkinson said it appeared Pittsburgh forward Conor Sheary's skate cut through Foligno's sock."It's huge for us when we have multiple lines contributing. It's tough for other teams to match up." -- Penguins forward Jake Guentzel"They don't shoot the puck just to try to take a shot. They create offense, a lot of deflections. They're very smart. It's very challenging to play against them." -- Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky
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