In Pittsburgh, the Panthers’ Carter Verhaeghe scored late in the third period on Tuesday to tie the Penguins, 6-6, to force extra time, it was his second goal of the night for Florida.
Kris Letang scored his second of the night in the extra session for a 7-6 win to the Pens.
“I think we battled back all game,” Verhaeghe said. “It was really eventful. We kind of stuck with being even-keeled the whole way, trusted the way we played. I liked the way we played. Had some unfortunate bounces.”
Letang had four points in his first game back following the passing of his father.
“It was kind of surreal, you know?” Letang said. “I didn’t know what to think or how it was going to go. These guys supported me for the last month. … It’s just great to be back.”
The Pens improved to 24-15-8.
Casey DeSmith made 33 saves in the Pittsburgh win.
Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk scored in the first period to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead.
Danton Heinen and Rickard Rakell tied it in the first for the Penguins, 2-2.
Letang and Verhaeghe exchanged goals before the end of the first for a 3-3 tie headed to the middle frame.
Aaron Ekblad and Sidney Crosby scored in the second for a 4-4 tie.
“It wasn’t pretty, but you need to find ways to win sometimes,” Crosby said. “We did a good job of that here today.”
Florida dropped to 23-21-6.
“You want it so bad for them because they have nothing left and they gave what they have to give,” Florida coach Paul Maurice said. “Each guy had a piece of the game where he tried to make an impact. It’s a tough way to lose a hockey game. And it’s over.”
The exchanges went on into the third period with the Panthers taking a 5-4 lead on a strike from Colin White midway through the third, but the Penguins’ Drew O’Connor tied it 5-5.
“It was an entertaining game, that’s for sure,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. “I think the entertainment value was off the charts. From a coaching standpoint, we would like it to be a tighter game. I know we’re capable of it.”
Evgeni Malkin gave the Penguins a 6-5 lead late in the third.
Alex Lyon made 42 saves in the loss.
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