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P-O Joseph Shines in Penguins 1st Period Breakout

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Pittsburgh Penguins P-O Joseph

The Pittsburgh Penguins finally earned a lead in a game this season. And both first period goals on Saturday originated off the stick off rookie P-O Joseph. The Penguins beat the New York Rangers 5-4 in OT, and Joseph had three assists including one on the Sidney Crosby OT winner.

But the first period is when Joseph served notice.

Jason Zucker scored his second goal of the season. He finished a play with some remarkable passing by Joseph and Kasperi Kapanen.

Kasperi Kapanen dished a great saucer pass to Joseph who then put the puck right on Zucker’s stick. Here’s a replay of the goal:

Kapanen has been one of the Penguins best players since his debut against the Washington Capitals on Jan. 19. He’s been one of their fastest players and that speed set up the Penguins’ first goal. He flew into the Rangers zone before slowing to find a passing lane. He hit Joseph with that cross-ice saucer pass. Kapanen now has four points in six games this season.

It was Joseph’s second point of his NHL career (both assists). His first assist was in his NHL debut on Jan. 22, also against New York.

Joseph didn’t stop there. His second point of the game was a nifty shot that Brandon Tanev deflected in the final seconds of the first period.

Tanev also scored his first goal since Jan. 15 against the Philadelphia Flyers (which also happened to be the second game of the season). The goal gave the Penguins their second lead of the game, which is a big deal considering the Penguins had only led for 25 minutes combined over the first eight games.