In Pittsburgh, the Penguins lost to the visiting Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon, 4-3. They also lost their wold card spot in the Eastern Conference because the Florida Panthers defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, 7-0, on Saturday.
The Panthers leapfrogged the Pens into the second wild card.
David Pastrnak finished a hat trick late in the third period to snap a 3-3 tie and send the Bruins to the win.
“It’s great. I’ve said many times, I’d probably take 100 (points) over 50 goals,” Pastrnak said. “I’m very happy with it. Big thanks to my linemates and teammates. Things have been going well, and (I) feel good out there.”
Jeremy Swayman made 21 saves in the Boston win.
The Bruins have 23 points so far this season.
“It’s a great accomplishment, but it’s hard when you’re right in the moment to embrace it, I guess maybe enjoy it,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said. “I think after the season is over, we’ll be able to sit back. It’s historical what we’re doing. It’s a pleasure to coach these guys.”
The Bruins moved to 59-12-5.
“We’ve got to find a way to get over it,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “It was a tough way to lose tonight. It was a tough way to lose, and that stings when the games have so much meaning, like they do at this time of year. But we’ve got to find a way to get over it. That falls on all of us, myself included.”
Boston took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Charlie McAvoy at 6:20 of the first period. H
“We’ve been doing that all year, finding ways to win games,” McAvoy said. “I feel like our leadership and our overall team composure has been good for us. Never too high, never too low.”
Pittsburgh’s Bryan Rust got that goal back at at 7:33 for a 1- 1 tie.
The Penguins dropped to 37-29-10.
Pastrnak hit for his first of the game in the second period for a 2-1 lead to the Bruins.
“Playing against a really good team over there,” Rust said. “It’s just one of those things where a couple little breakdowns end up in the back of our net.”
Rust scored early in the third to knot the game at 2-2.
“Playing against a really good team over there,” Rust said. “It’s just one of those things where a couple little breakdowns end up in the back of our net.”
Pastrnak then replied again for a 3-2 lead to the Bruins, but Jake Guentzel scored to get the Pens even at 3-3.
Tristan Jarry made 31 saves in the loss.
“Regardless of who we’re playing, it’s tough,” the Pens’ Sidney Crosby said. “We battled back. To not get any points out of it, it’s frustrating.”
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