Penguins Blowout, The Good Kind; Rust Hat Trick, Pens Stomp Canadiens

MONTREAL — Timely saves and structured defending after a troubling start allowed the Penguins to enjoy opportunistic goals as they pulled away from the Montreal Canadiens 9-2 Thursday at Bell Centre.

Bryan Rust had a hat trick and one assist as he equaled linemate Rickard Rakell, who had a pair of goals and two assists. The quiet member of the Penguins’ top line was Sidney Crosby, who merely had three assists.

All did not start well for the Penguins, and they flirted with squandering a multi-goal lead, but their better angels prevailed.

First shot. First goal. It’s happened quite a few times to the Penguins this season, usually by their own hand. Thursday was no different, as Kris Letang and Matt Grzelcyk were 85 feet apart at the offensive blue line as Letang tried a lateral pass. Predictably, Montreal seized on the opportunity as Cole Caufield pounced on the easy takeaway and raced toward the Penguins’ net.

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As Grzelcyk caught up to Caufield, his drop pass to an uncovered Nick Suzuki allowed the Montreal center to easily deke helpless Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry at 2:12 of the first period.

Rather than imploding, the Penguins settled down, at least until they got a multiple-goal lead in the second period. Seconds after the Penguins claimed a 3-1 lead midway through the second period, they allowed a glorious chance to Montreal forward Joel Armia in front of the Penguins net.

From point-blank range, Armia missed the net. However, a few moments later, he got another chance on the next Montreal rush. Armia (4) snapped a one-timer to the stick side from the left circle just one minute and nine seconds after the Penguins claimed the 3-1 lead. Armia scored at 14:36.

The Penguins clamped down rather than melting down and did not allow another goal.

The Penguins played catchup well in the first period. After Montreal netted the first shot, the Penguins capitalized on their first power play (and only power play in the first 40 minutes). Atoning for ghastly turnover, Letang fired a hard pass across the low slot to Rickard Rakell (12) near the back post, and Rakell was easily able to redirect the puck into the net behind Montreal goalie Sam Montembeault.

Rust scored the next two goals.

Rust created a turnover at the defensive blue line and bolted up ice. Sidney Crosby connected with Rust at full speed at center ice. Rust (10) scooted past defenseman Mike Matheson with a hesitation move before going full speed toward the net and sweeping around Montembeault at 10:03 of the first period.

After three goals in 10 minutes, the teams settled for a little more than 20 minutes before Rust scored again. Rakell made a spinning backhand pass to Rust (11) near the net for a chip-in goal at 13:27 of the second.

In the meantime, Jarry made a handful of sparkling saves on unabated Montreal chances, including a couple of short breakaways and Grade-A chances.

The Penguins were without a shot in the first nine minutes of the second period, as Montreal took the first nine shots. However, the Penguins outshot Montreal 9-2 after that, not including Penguins center Evgeni Malkin hitting the post on a short breakaway.

After 40 minutes, Erik Karlsson and Rust led all players with four shots on goal.

The Penguins scored six goals in the third period to put the game away.

Rust zapped a pass to Rakell (13) in front of the net at 4:40 of the third period for a 4-2 lead. A few minutes later, Kris Letang (6) earned a power play goal with a shot through traffic at 7:42.

One minute later, the fun continued as Montreal quickly faded. Drew O’Connor and Anthony Beauvillier rushed the net, and Beauviller’s (8) stick was the last to touch the puck at 8:41.

Rust (12) earned the hat trick at 11:56 with an unassisted goal as a defenseman tried to clear a rebound but directed it right to Rust at 11:56.

Then Matt Nieto scored his first goal of the season and his first goal in more than a year when he converted from the slot after a nice pass from Grzelcyk at 14:20.

Noel Acciari (3) added insult to injury when he netted an unassisted goal at 18:42.

Jarry stopped 21 of 23. Cayden Primeau replaced Montembeault for the final 8:53. Montembeault stopped 20 of 26.

Penguins Notes

Nieto’s goal was his first since Nov. 4, 2023, against San Jose. He’s played only nine games this season after returning from multiple knee surgeries.

Rust now has six career hat tricks.

Crosby has five points in his last five games but no goals in eight.