PENGUINS COME BACK WITH 4-3 WIN VS. FLYERS
Malkin, power play come to life in response to difficult defeat
Less than 48 hours after a three-goal lead melted down into one of the most stinging losses of the season, the Penguins were back at PPG Paints Arena Saturday looking for a response.
They got it from places unexpected, often-criticized and opportunistic.
Two sparks from the maligned power play, two points from Evgeni Malkin and some crucial secondary scoring helped the Penguins twice come back from onegoal deficits. Then, Jared McCann, filling in on the second line in part due to
injury, tumbled head-first over Brian Elliott to bury Brandon Tanev’s rebound for the game winner.
Final: Penguins 4, Flyers 3.
The Penguins (13-9-1, 27 points) won the rubber match of the pseudo threegame series against the Flyers in a game that very much looked and sounded like the fifth meeting between two in-staterivals who are sick of seeing each other, with plenty of chirping and several spirited scrums. Pittsburgh is now tied with the Flyerswith 27 points, though Philadelphia has played two fewergames.
“Obviously, everybody was disappointed [in Thursday’s loss],” coach Mike Sullivan said. “I was happy for the players, because I thought their response was really strong tonight. I liked our energy. I liked our effort. Our compete level was high. And we beat a pretty good hockeyteam.”
After an imperfect game on Thursday, the Penguins began Saturday with another miscue. Sam Lafferty’s turnover just inside the offensive zone sent the Flyers off to the races on a 2-on-0. Tristan Jarry, starting for the 10th time in 11 games, was left hanging out to dry, as Travis Konecny made it 10.
But a team looking for a response got one less than two minute later on the powerplay.
Sidney Crosby, who played the left wall position more consistently on Saturday, tossed a highlight-reel saucer pass through the entire Flyers penalty killing formation and right onto Malkin’s stick as he entered the zone with speed. Malkin made a beauty of a play to kick off what was just his second two-point game of the season. He deked Brian Elliott out of his pads and then burned the Flyers goalie with a backhand wraparound.
The Penguins inconsistent power play clicked again thanks to another snazzy passing sequence that again started with Sid. The captain ignited a ticktack-toe sequence to Jake Guentzel and finally to BryanRust on the doorstep.
Pittsburgh’s power play entered the game converting just 15.4% of opportunities. Only five teams were worse with the man-advantage. The puck movement and star power shined this time, even on the one power play of the three the top unit didn’t convert.
“When we’re moving, playing off our instincts, skating, supporting each other, that’s when we’re at
our best,” Rust said. “I think wedid that tonight.”
In a game that was shaped significantly by special teams, the Flyers power play provided the second-period equalizer. Kevin Hayes wristshot whistled through ascreen and past Jarry.
Then, the Flyers took the lead, 3-2, at 4-on-4 action. Shayne Gostisbehere’s slapshot from the point beat Jarry on one of the shakier goals the Penguins’ netminder has allowed in some time.
Momentum had shifted. Fans were almost silent. It looked like the Penguins might once again go to the dressing room trailing after two periods, as they’ve done somany times this year.
Off a turnover, Zach Aston-Reesethrew a puck on net from the corner. A harmless-looking shot with an almost non-existent angle somehow snuck past Elliott to tie the score.
That set the stage for Malkin and McCann.
Jared McCann, who scarified his body to score a goal on Thursday, did it again for the second consecutive game. After Malkin found Tanev to create an initial attempt, McCann flew in with speed to push play on the goalsong.
McCann appeared set for a bottom-six role in the days leading up to his return from injury. But when Jason Zucker went down with a long-term, lower-body ailment, it thrust him into a scoring role on Malkin’s left wing. He’s seized the opportunity to score three goals in his first five games back.
“We’ve always known he has the ability to finish,” Sullivan said. “It’s more about playing the game a certain way that gives him the opportunities to get the looks. Usually, if he can get the looks, he’s going to score.”
After the game, the Penguins raised their sticks at center ice to salute their fans. Then, the 2,800 returned the gesture when Malkin stepped onto the ice as the first star of the game.
Several players talked about how their leadership group gave them the right message to get back on track. Words are one thing. With Malkin’s actions, he backed it up on the ice, as well, in one of his better games of the season.
“Geno had an impact on the game on both sides of the puck,” Sullivan said. “That’s what we’ve grown to expect from him, because he’s such a generational talent. I hope that this is something he can build on and continue to get better for us.”