Holy Nedeljkovic, Penguins Power Play Drowns Flames in Blowout Win

PITTSBURGH — The Calgary Flames had numerous great chances to take the lead on the Pittsburgh Penguins (10-12-4) and more chances still to tie the game, but the Penguins got a memorable performance from their netminder and three power-play goals.

The Penguins have won three in a row, and the highlights Saturday belonged to goalie Alex Nedeljkovic as the Penguins beat the Calgary Flames 6-2 at PPG Paints Arena.

Nedeljkovic stopped 20 shots in the first two periods, including a spectacular save on Calgary defenseman Rasmus Andersson at 16:02 of the first period. Andersson stood in disbelief, his jaw slacked in a bit of shock, as he saw the replays of Nedeljkovic’s save in which he did the splits to take away the low shots and then got the glove up to rob a sure goal.

As the hockey gods ordain, a great save usually translates to the next goal. Just over one minute later, the Penguins staked themselves a 1-0 lead as Blake Lizotte slipped a pass across the slot for Anthony Beauvillier, who roofed a backhander over Calgary goalie Dan Vladar at 17:14 of the first period.

The shots were just about even, as was the play in the first, with the Penguins slightly outshooting Calgary 13-10.

The second verse was the same as the first.

Nedeljkovic made a few more 10-bell saves, including stuffing Jonathan Huberdeau’s point-blank shot despite having lost his stick. Those are merely a couple of examples of Nedeljkovic’s figurative wall.

Early in the second period, the Penguins’ power play looked crisp and was rewarded. Michael Bunting won the net-front battle and neatly deposited Matt Grzelcyk’s rebound for a 2-0 lead at 2:40.

The Penguins began to wear down Calgary in the second period as Nedeljkovic gobbled up scoring chances like leftover turkey and outshot their houseguests 17-11 in the middle period. They also weren’t done scoring.

Philip Tomasino, playing in his third game with the team after being acquired by the team from the Nashville Predators on Nov. 25, scored the Penguins’ second power-play goal of the game and period. Kris Letang circled the Calgary net and fed Tomasino a heaping plate with lots of net to hit. Tomasino (2) easily snapped a wrister from the left circle into the yawning cage at 9:02 of the second.

Tomasino has goals in consecutive games. He scored the game-winner over the Boston Bruins Friday.

Andersson managed to upset Penguins captain Sidney Crosby later in the second period, and that was probably not a wise move. Crosby clearly had a point to prove for the remainder of the game. Early in the third period, Crosby carried a Calgary defender along the wall, shielding the puck with his body before making a sharp pass to Rickard Rakell (10) in the crease for a backhand stuff-in.

Defenseman Kris Letang (3) netted the Penguins’ third power-play goal with a blast from the blue line. It was Letang’s first goal since Oct. 14 against Montreal.

Nedeljkovic stopped 30 on 32 shots. The team allowed a couple of garbage time goals, first by Huberdeau at 14:27 of the third period and then by Nazem Kadri at 15:05.

The Penguins fired 44 shots on Vladar, and Penguins grinder Blake Lizotte (4) scored on the 42nd with a wicked wrister from the high slot at 18:23. It is the first time the Penguins have won three in a row this season.

Notes

Penguins rookie defenseman Owen Pickering returned to the lineup after missing the last two games due to illness.

Jack St. Ivany and Ryan Graves were the healthy scratches.