In Pittsburgh, the veteran Penguins handed the Tampa Bay Lightning a 6-2 thrashing on Saturday night.
Sidney Crosby had a goal and three points in the win.
“You want to keep that going,” Crosby said. “It might not last. You want to keep riding that momentum if you can. If you want to win consistently, you need everyone to contribute. There’s no secret to that. We’ve been able to do that here the first couple games.”
Tristan Jarry made 34 saves in the Pens win.
Steven Stamkos had a power play goal and Brayden point scored a so-what goal in the third period when the Pens were potting four of their own.
“Every single year, we’re a different team,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. “We have to find ourselves a bit. But the big thing is, and it comes right down to it, if we’re not going to manage the puck and we’re going to turn it over, especially with teams like this, it’ll be a long night for you.
“We’ve gone through some ebbs and flows in years. This is a tough way to start this year, no doubt.”
After Stamkos scored to give the Lightning a 1-0 lead, Crosby tied the game, and Danton Heinen put the Pens up, 2-1.
“I think we had a pretty good start, once again,” Tampa’s Victor Hedman said. “They got that power-play goal to make it 2-1, then it was an uphill battle. [Elliott] kept us in the game, gave us a chance to win. But it all comes down to execution, that’s the bottom line. We’ll regroup here, go back home and get ready for our home opener [against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday].”
Jake Guentzel and Jeff Carter had a goal each in the win.
“I think it’s a good time when you’re getting chances this early,” Guentzel said. “You don’t hang your head too much. For me, the chances are coming.”
Bryan Rust scored a power play goal for Pittsburgh and Rickard Rakell added an empty-net goal for the 6-2 final.
Brian Elliott made 39 saves in the Bolts loss.
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