In Pittsburgh Monday, the Penguins outlasted the Ottawa Senators, 8-5, in a match devoid of solid defense.
Bryan Rust netted his first NHL hat trick including two goals in the third that finally gave the Pens some breathing room with just over two minutes left in regulation.
One of the goals came on a penalty shot to make it 705.
“I can’t say I expected it,” Rust said. “[The last time I scored a hat trick] was more of a blowout. The team wasn’t as good. This game was just, find a way to get open in certain situations and I was lucky enough to get a penalty shot.”
Goalie Craig Anderson was pulled after Rust’s second goal and replaced by Mike Condon who surrendered the hat trick goal.
“It was a weird game. Anything that could happen, happened,” Ottawa head coach Guy Boucher said. “This is a Stanley Cup winner here. We’re talking about a powerhouse.”
Evgeni Malkin, Matt Cullen, Phil Kessel, Justin Schultz, and Sidney Crosby also scored for the Pens.
WATCH: All Senators vs. Penguins highlights
The Senators offense came from Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman, Erik Karlsson, and Kyle Turris .
Marc-Andre Fleury started for Pittsburgh but was pulled after making 12 saves on 16 shots; he was replaced by Matt Murray.
“It was more about maybe just trying to change the mindset of the 18 skaters in front of [Fleury]. Sometimes when you get in those situations, you make that type of a change and maybe you can provide a spark for the group,” Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan when asked about pulling Fleury for Murray.
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