Penguins Rise to Challenge, Grab Gutsy Win in New York

NEW YORK — Pittsburgh Penguins (23-24-9) captain Sidney Crosby missed his first game since regular season games early in the 2021-22 season. Crosby’s absence coincided with Evgeni Malkin’s first absence in the same 2021-22 season, yet the patchwork Penguins lineup didn’t lark for spunk or effort.

They found some finish in the second period as Blake Lizotte and Rickard Rakell scored off the rush. Philip Tomasino netted a late second-period power-play tally for a gritty 3-2 win over the New York Rangers (26-24-4) at Madison Square Garden.

Against all odds, the Penguins did everything they needed to do, including a pair of penalty kills in the final six minutes.

It was high effort and compete-level for the Penguins in the first period, but one mistake marred the opening 20 minutes. New York converted a ghastly turnover by Erik Karlsson midway through the first period when Karlsson’s breakout pass up the middle dribbled right to New York’s Vincent Trocheck (17), who easily beat a helpless Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic at 8:31 of the first period.

The Penguins outshot New York 10-7 in the first period, but their best scoring chances bounced wide or zipped off the glass behind New York goalie Igor Shesterkin.

The Penguins had some great chances in the second period, including defenseman Ryan Graves, who raced to the net and beat New York goalie Igor Shesterkin, but the puck hopped off Graves’s stick after the backhand deke. Graves’s second chance at the yawning cage was deflected.

Rickard Rakell also had a couple of chances that the hockey gods inexplicably deemed not to be as pucks toward open nets hit legs, skates, Shesterkin, or some combination.

However, the challenge of playing without their two best players was not too great for the Penguins, who scored a trio of goals in the second period.

At 2:25 of the second, the Penguins tied the game 1-1 when Noel Acciari won a right-wing wall battle and slipped a short touch pass to Lizotte (9), who wrong-footed a far-post wrister past Shesterkin from the right circle.

The Penguins suffered a breakdown less than 90 seconds later when no one covered former Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Adam Fox (4). He stepped into the right circle to beat Nedeljkovic at 3:39 of the second.

The Penguins scored the next two goals of the period with good old-fashioned hard work. A good defensive play by Anthony Beauvillier launched the Penguins top line on a three-on-two. Rakell (25) had enough space to flip the puck to his forehand on the left wing, and he also beat Shesterkin to the far post to tie the game at 9:07.

Philip Tomasino (7), who was one of the Penguins who noticeably elevated his game in the absence of the stars, slammed a power play goal past Shesterkin from 15 feet at 11:59. The Penguins led 3-2.

The Penguins maintained a shot advantage into the third period with puck pressure and earnest hustle. They also killed off a pair of late New York power plays in the final six minutes (P.O Joseph interference, Michael Bunting tripping).

Nedeljkovic stopped 25 of 27 for the win. Nedeljkovic is 12-9-5 this season.

The Penguins were not credited with a shot in the third. New York had 10, but the Penguins still outshot New York 27-26.

Penguins forward Boko Imami left the game in the first period, and coach Mike Sullivan said he was being evaluated for an upper-body injury.

Penguins Notes

New York had won six of the last seven, including both meetings this season.

Nedeljkovic started his seventh of the last eight games and seven of nine since the team waived Tristan Jarry. He had a .936 save percentage over his last seven games.

After losing the first game with newly acquired J.T. Miller, New York had won their previous two.

As noted by Penguins PR, five of Tomasino’s seven Penguins goals have been game winners.

Penguins Lines:

Anthony Beauvillier-Rickard Rakell-Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting-Cody Glass-Danton Heinen

Matt Nieto-Kevin Hayes-Phil Tomasino

Boko Imama-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari

Defense

Matt Grzelcyk-Erik Karlsson

P.O Joseph-Kris Letang

Ryan Graves-Vincent Desharnais

Goalie: Alex Nedeljkovic