Penguins Get Bucked in Shootout, Lose to Flames

CALGARY, Alberta — The Pittsburgh Penguins (3-4-1) had a pair of one-goal third-period leads but were unable to hold either. After a spirited stretch that could have resulted in the Penguins’ game-winning goal when fourth-liner Noel Acciari buried a rebound with under seven minutes remaining, Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri scored in the final minute of regulation with the extra attacker.

Neither team scored in overtime. Flames fourth-line center Justin Kirkland scored in the sixth round of the shootout. Calgary (5-0-1) remained unbeaten.

The third period began tied 1-1 and ended 3-3 as the Penguins failed to hold either lead.

Moments after the Pittsburgh Penguins’ power play early in the third period, winger Rickard Rakell (4) broke a 1-1 tie when he shot the puck into a mass of bodies near the net. The puck caromed through legs and into the net, and the Penguins had a third period lead.

A few minutes later, Calgary tied the game when Mackenzie Weegar’s shot was deflected and skipped past Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic’s mask.

On the tying goal, the Penguins’ Monday practice was quite relevant.

The Penguins executed the very drill that coach Mike Sullivan stopped at practice on Monday to admonish his players for lack of execution. The reunited fourth line with Cody Glass at center with Noel Acciari on the right wing capped off a few-minute Penguins push.  Acciari (1) buried a rebound for the game-winner at 13:40 of the third period.

It wasn’t always pretty, and the Penguins were never too far removed from their near-pathological need to make ghastly mistakes. However, Nedeljkovic stopped 22 of 25 through overtime, including a few high-danger scoring chances in the opening minutes.

Nedeljkovic started his second straight game, with Joel Blomqvist serving as the backup. Tristan Jarry was again a healthy scratch, part of Sullivan’s “comprehensive plan” to get Jarry more private work with goalie coach Andy Chiodo.

The Penguins’ first period more resembled the rodeo for which this town is famous, except they were not riding the bull but running from it. The Penguins’ disjointed play continued, especially in the first 10 minutes, as it took nearly that long for their first legitimate shot on goal.

Midway through the first period, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk tried to hold the offensive blue line, but the puck was out of reach, and defense partner Erik Karlsson headed for the barrels when he unsuccessfully tried to jump forward to disrupt the resulting two-on-one. Calgary defenseman Rasmus Anderson (3).

After a rough start, the Penguins stabilized the game, though they weren’t immune to giving up a few more high-danger chances.

The Penguins revamped power play also rebounded from a brutal first effort to score on their second go-round in the second period. Erik Karlsson and Sidney Crosby won the wall battle, and Crosby took the puck to the net. The Calgary penalty killers collapsed toward Crosby, leaving Bryan Rust alone in the slot. Of course, Crosby teed up Rust (2) for a top-corner snipe and a tie game at 6:31 of the second.

The Penguins’ next power play was also a high-event two minutes, but only because they yielded a pair of odd-man rushes, and Andersson had glorious looks. The first odd-man rush was a three-on-two, and Andersson’s shot clanged the post, echoing throughout the Saddledome.

After a Crosby turnover, Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic made an athletic save on the next rush to keep the score tied.

Five Penguins had three shots after two periods. Crosby, defenseman Kris Letang, Rickard Rakell, Anthony Beauvillier, and Glass. The Penguins totaled 38 shots, and Crosby led the team and all players with five.

Penguins Notes

Coach Mike Sullivan reunited his fourth line with Glass at center Kevin Hayes on the left wing, and Noel Acciari on the right wing. Winger Michael Bunting returned to the lineup, as did right-handed defenseman Jack St. Ivany.

Sullivan also swapped his top defensive pairs, putting Grzelcyk with Karlsson and Marcus Pettersson with Letang.

The reunited fourth line was very good. They did not allow a shot in the first 40 minutes while creating a pair of scoring chances. Their best chance was Glass’s toe drag to the slot and wrister.

Acciari delivered the biggest hit of the game, a thundering stand-up hit on Martin Pospisil at the blue line. He and St. Ivany each delivered three hits.

Acciari won his first six faceoffs. Sidney Crosby won 17 of his 25 draws, too, often beating Calgary center Nazem Kadri.

Rickard Rakell scored in the shootout.

Anthony Mantha scored.

Rasmus Andersson scored.

Bryan Rust scored in the third round to force extra rounds.

PHN will update the stats following coach Mike Sullivan’s media availability.