In Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby’s second period, power play goal gave the Penguins a 2-1 lead over the Philadelphia Flyers in a Saturday matinee.
For good measure, the Pens added three more goals in the third period to dust off the Flyers, 5-1.
Casey DeSmith made 31 saves in the Penguins win.
“I’ve been fortunate to have coached a lot of really good players,” Pens coach Mike Sullivan said. “Good players, great players, is what makes coaches look smart. This group that I’ve had in Pittsburgh has been an unbelievable group to work with. I’m grateful to all the players who have been a part of it, who have made the sacrifice to help us have success. It’s humbling, for sure.”
Pittsburgh improved to 33-22-10, they are on a 6-1-1 streak.
“That was phenomenal,” DeSmith said. “I thought we were really tight. We didn’t give them any time and space to set up. We were pressuring all over the ice. That’s what we have to do every time.”
The Pens took a 1-0 lead in the first period on a goal from Rickard Rakell .
The Flyers replied with a strike by Kieffer Bellows to tie it, 1-1.
The Flyers dropped to 24-31-11.
“I don’t have a lot to complain about,” Philadelphia coach John Tortorella said. “I know we lost another one. I thought we played hard. I thought everybody contributed. … We have to keep banging away here and keep on trying to play the right way.”
The Pens scored three times in the third period on markers from Jason Zucker at 14:24, and Jake Guentzel, and Mikael Granlund.
“It’s a 2-1 game right to the end,” Tortorella said. “I thought our structure was good. We had some chances. Just couldn’t find a way to score.”
For Zucker, it was his eighth goal in seven games.
“I think we still have another level, but I thought it was pretty good,” Zucker said. “I thought we started well. …We just wanted to make sure we stayed on our toes. I feel like the games where we’ve given up leads, we’ve kind of sat back and were trying to protect the lead instead of getting after them.”
Carter Hart made 27 saves in the Flyers loss.
“When you’re trying to do too much, it can sometimes be worse,” Flyers forward Owen Tippett said. “You have to stick with it and grind through and hope for the results.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.