In Pittsburgh, Danton Heinen scored early in the third period to give the the Penguins a 5-4 lead on Saturday.
The goal stopped a three-goal run by the New York Rangers that tied the 4-4, in the middle frame.
“I’m just grateful,” Heinen said. “It’s a lot of fun playing these games. Not everybody gets to do it, so I think just trying to take it all in, stay in the moment, be grateful and have as much fun as I can out there.”
Evan Rodrigues had two goals for the Penguins who took a 4-1 lead in the first period.
Kaapo Kakko scored for the Rangers in the first period.
“Anytime you can help the team win, you’re obviously going to be happy,” Rodrigues said. “It was a great start for us. We kind of let our foot off the gas there in the second, but we came back in the third. We got back to playing the way we started the game.”
Frank Vatrano, Artemi Panarin,, and Andrew Copp (shorthanded) scored in the middle frame to rally Rangers back for a 4-4 tie after two periods.
“It might have been the worst period we’ve played in the series. Not might have been, it has been,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “We got away from the game that’s brought us success. That’s just the human element of sports.”
Brock McGinn also scored for the Pittsburgh.
“I don’t think we got to our game nearly quick enough,” New York’s Chris Kreider said. “I don’t think we played together. … We put ourselves in positions like that and have been able to claw back, but it’s not something you can do in the playoffs.”
Jake Guentzel and Jeff Carter (second of the game) added empty net goals for the 7-4 final.
Igor Shesterkin got the start for New York but was given the hook in the first intermission after surrendering four goals on 15 shots.
“Igor has been outstanding,” New York coach Gerard Gallant said. “Really, you look at it right now, and he’s played 10 periods the last four and a half days, five days. … I thought it was a good time to jump-start it.”
Alexander Georgiev made 19 saves in relief.
You must be logged in to post a comment.