Pens double up Coyotes, 4-2, to end skid at four Carter, Guentzel score doubles in win

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In Pittsburgh, Jeff Carter scored twice and the Penguins knocked off the Arizona Coyotes, 4-2 on Tuesday night to end a frustrating four-game skid.

“It’s been a little bit of a tough stretch for us here, obviously,” Carter said. “We stuck with it. There’s been times this year where things didn’t really go our way and we kind of have gone the wrong way. Tonight, I think we did a good job of sticking with it.”

Tristan Jarry made 19 saves in the win.

The Penguins moved back to .500 at 12-12-3.

The Coyotes dropped to .500 at 13-13-2.

“I’m happy about the effort,” Arizona coach Andre Tourigny said. “We won way more battles (than in a 5-2 loss at the Buffalo Sabres on Monday). Obviously, we didn’t put a lot of pucks at the net. I think we played against a team that was urgent, as well. We could’ve gone with more volume. There are things I would like to do differently, but the effort was definitely there.”

Jake Guentzel, who also hit for a pair of goals for the Penguins, scored at 1:12 of the first period, off the power play, to give the Pens a 1-0 lead.

“It’s huge. It just feels good to get one going in,” Guentzel said. “Obviously, Sid made a good play. I’m just trying to put pucks on net. To get two is huge.”

The Pens had gone scoreless in 37 power play chances.

Arizona replied with a pair of goals, the first coming from Lawson Crouse, on the power play, midway through the first for a 1-1 tie.

Matias Maccelli hit for a second power play for the Coyotes at 15:24 for a 2-1 lead.,

Carter picked up his first of the game at 16:54, to tie it, 2-2.

Carter scored off the power play at 4:23 of the third period to give the Pens a 3-2 lead.

“He’s just a really good pro,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. “I think he recognizes the circumstance, and h e wants to do anything he can to help the team win. So, he’s willing to embrace any role we ask him to play. I think that’s a great example for all of us that we can learn from.”

Guentzel hit an empty net at 18:37 for the 4-2 final count.

Connor Ingram made 40 saves in the loss.

“It’s tough, especially for guys that aren’t on the power play or PK,” the Coyotes’ Logan Cooley said. “You’re kind of sitting there while your legs get cold. But again, it’s part of the game. It’s a crazy first period, but that’s no excuse for us.”