Letang’s 2 goals help Penguins get revenge
P I TTSBURGH» The Pittsburgh Penguins gained a measure of revenge against a rival that ended their season last spring.
Kris Letang scored his second goal 1:20 into overtime and the Penguins opened the season with a 76 victory over the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals on Thursday night.
“I think we wanted to respond to last season,” Letang said. “I don’t think it mattered if it was (Washington) or another team.”
Letang beat goalie Braden Holtby with a slap shot from the point on a power play. Letang finished with three points, tying Hall of Famer Paul Coffey for the most by a defenseman in team history with 440.
“I always looked up to him,” Letang said. “It’s pretty cool to have your name next to his.”
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan believes the threepoint opener will give Letang confidence moving forward.
“I thought he had a really solid night,” Sullivan said. “He plays big minutes and in all of the situations for us. I’m happy for him because I know how hard he works.”
Jake Guentzel also scored twice, Evgeni Malkin had a goal and two assists, and Derick Brassard and Jamie Oleksiak added goals in Pittsburgh’s opener. Matt Murray made 30 saves.
T.J. Oshie scored twice for Stanley Cup champion Washington, coming off a 70 home victory over Boston on Wednesday night in the Capitals’ opener.
Alex Ovechkin had his second of the season and 609th overall, passing Dino Ciccarelli for 18th on the NHL list. Brooks Orpik scored his first goal in 182 regularseason games. Jakub Vrana and John Carlson also scored. Holtby made 34 saves.
The Capitals met the Penguins for the first time since eliminating Pittsburgh in six games during the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Malkin scored 2:45 into the third period, putting Pittsburgh ahead by two, but Oshie tied it at 6 with goals 21 seconds apart.
“It was not a pretty game,” Letangsaid.“Itwasugly.Itwasthat type of game.”
Goodrow gets extension.
» The San Jose Sharks have signed forward Barclay Goodrow to a twoyear contract extension. He would have been a restricted free agent next summer on Thursday. Goodrow had career highs with seven goals and 14 points in 47 games last season.