Penguins Rally and Show What’s Possible; Unseat Capitals to End Skid

WASHINGTON, D.C. — For a moment, both teams turned the clock back to 2017 when they were the best teams in the NHL, and the games between them were heavyweight slobberknockers. In the first 20 minutes, the Pittsburgh Penguins (6-8-2) and Washington Capitals (9-4-0) raced end to end to defend and create scoring chances as if it were one of their legendary playoff battles.

The Penguins were immediately more engaged in every facet than they were just 24 hours earlier when they lost a lopsided and disjointed contest to the Carolina Hurricanes. However, the Penguins’ two-goal jinx was in full effect, and for the sixth time in 12 games, the Penguins gave up a two-goal lead.

This time, the team rescued themselves as Bryan Rust swept into the offensive zone and got behind the defensemen. Washington goalie Charlie Lindgren made the save on Rust, but Evgeni Malkin finished the rebound for the game-winning goal at 10:28.

While the Penguins did relinquish a two-goal lead, they rallied for a win for the second time this season (the other was Oct. 16 vs. Buffalo).

In the first 10 minutes, the Penguins flexed the Hall of Fame skill that highlights their roster.

Coach Mike Sullivan kept the Penguins top line together despite the return of Bryan Rust. Early in the first period, all three Penguins forwards touched the puck on the rush led by Rickard Rakell.

Sidney Crosby threaded a seam in the Washington defense for a cross-ice pass to Evgeni Malkin to circle the net and deliver a strike to Erik Karlsson in the slot. Karlsson (2) quickly snapped a wrist shot to the glove side past Washington goalie Charlie Lindgren at 3:11.

Less than four minutes later, Karlsson again flexed the former Norris Trophy-winning form when he raced from the defensive zone to create a two-on-two rush. Michael Bunting got just a little bit of separation from the defender, and Karlsson’s pass was in the perfect spot for Bunting (2) to redirect it past Lindgren at 6:59.

After trailing 2-0, defenseman Rasmus Sandin completed the rush by faking a shot that froze Karlsson and goalie Joel Blomqvist. After taking another stride, Sandin had an open shot from the left circle and plenty of net to hit. Sandin (1) didn’t miss at 8:22.

In the second period, defenseman Marcus Pettersson was caught up ice without support, and Erik Karlsson misplayed a two-on-one. Andrew Mangiapane (4) finished the break at 6:04 to tie the game.

The Penguins failed to convert on their only power play of the first period. Sullivan continued his recent policy of keeping both Karlsson and Kris Letang off of the top power-play unit. Bryan Rust joined PP1, while Sullivan joined Letang and Karlsson on PP2.

The Capitals did not play poorly, either.

The Penguins dominated the scoring chances 7-3 in the first 20 minutes, according to NaturalStatTrick.com. However, Washington had the better chances in a wild second period, outchancing the Penguins 18-13.

Blomqvist was exceptional, especially in the second period when he stopped 17 of 18 shots and in the third period when he denied a couple of point-blank chances with five minutes remaining.

Washington netminder Charlie Lindgren also had a couple of highlight reel saves on Rakell, who seemed to have a yawning cage for a rebound putback until Lindgren’s pad suddenly appeared.

Blomqvist stopped 32 of 34 until Washington pulled the goalie with 3:07 remaining. The Penguins did not allow a competitive shot (and just one total) on goal after Washington pulled the goalie. Lindgren stopped 28 of 31.

Noel Acciari (2) scored the empty netter.

The loss ended Washington’s seven-game home winning streak, and the Penguins ended Alex Ovechkin’s five-game goal streak. The win ended the Penguins’ two-game winless streak. They have points in four of their last five games (3-1-1)

Penguins Notes

Winger Valtteri Puustinen played only six shifts and 4:37 in the first two periods.

Five Penguins have three shots on goal after two periods, including Bunting, Crosby, and Karlsson.

Friday was Rust’s first game in the lineup since suffering an injury against the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 26 when he and Nils Hoglander got tangled up.

Sullivan juggled the lines in the third period, moving to a more balanced approach. The new top line was Drew O’Connor-Crosby-Rakell. The next line was Michael Bunting-Malkin-Rust.

The Penguins held Washington without a shot in the first 8:57 of the third period. Washington had just three shots on goal in the first 15:32, but Blomqvist made the saves.