In Montreal, the Canadiens surrendered two goals Evgeni Malkin in the second period on Monday, and then stormed back with two in the third and the game winner in extra time from Kirby Dach for a 3-2 decision.
“There’s no better feeling than getting your first one with a new team at home, and to boot, an overtime winner as well,” Dach said.
Sam Montembeault made 26 saves in the Habs win.
“We had a really good 40 minutes. Like when [coach Martin St. Louis] came into the room after the second, that’s what he told us,” Montembeault said. “Like we were playing well, we just had to stay the course, not go into the third and try to do too much. Just keep going, keep playing the way we were playing. And it paid off, and we got a big goal at the end.”
The two teams were scoreless after the first period before Malkin hit for his two goals.
“It’s real disappointing, we didn’t like the first period at all,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “I thought the second period we started to play. I thought we were probably the better team in the second period, but that’s the only period. It’s hard to win in this league when we only play one period.”
Nick Suzuki started the Canadiens rally with his second goal of the season at 1:10 of the third period.
Cole Caufield scored his third of the new season at 2:20 of the period to get the game even at 2-2.
“You can kind of see from my spot over there where everybody is, and you just try to get lost and time it so you come to the puck at the right time,” Caufield said. “And obviously, [Drouin] just made a [heck] of a pass. I think that one’s on him. I had the whole side of the net.”
Dach’s winner came on the power play in the extra session, off a redirect of a pass across the slot.
Casey DeSmith made 36 saves in the Pittsburgh loss.
“It’s a tough loss tonight, but the team, every game we play better and better,” Malkin said. “And my line, like myself, I’m trying to keep going every game. I hope (I have) no injuries again. I feel my confidence. I feel like I’m still a good player.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.