Penguins Can’t Crack Dallas Defense, Stars Beat Pens in SO, 2-1

The Pittsburgh Penguins needed a little help from goalie Tristan Jarry, and the Dallas Stars did their best to take away the Penguins second chances. After 60 minutes, each team only netted one. Jarry stopped 23 of 24 in regulation. Braden Holtby made 22 saves on 23 shots before OT.

Neither team scored in OT, either. In the shootout, Joe Pavelski beat Jarry with a sweeping backhand, Alex Radulov beat Jarry with a backhand, and the Dallas Stars (3-0-0) beat the Pittsburgh Penguins (2-0-2) 2-1.

The Penguins mostly controlled the first period, but a few mistakes throughout the period gave Dallas bursts of offense, and Dallas scored in the final minute. Jason Zucker committed a turnover at the defensive blue line and the Dallas transition game converted. Michael Raffl (2) was alone in the right-wing circle and one-timed a top-shelf slapper past Tristan Jarry.

Oh no, Eddie Spaghetti.

On Mike Lange night, the Penguins took a while to get their first goal. Early in the second period, defenseman John Marino bought Sam a drink and got his dog one, too, when he crashed the net. Marino (1) was uncovered and slammed the rebound into the net.

Hallelujah Hollywood.

Marino’s assist tied Jeff Carter, and Kris Letang for the team points lead.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were then buzzing like bees around the hive for most of the second period, too. However, no one called Arnold Slick from Turtle Creek. Perhaps grandma was stuck in the slow lane.

The Penguins had several more chances t scratch their back with a hacksaw, but Dallas goalie–and former Washington Capitals netminder–stopped eight of nine shots and seven of the Penguins eight scoring chances.

Through the first 40 minutes, the Penguins did not get a power play (nor were they shorthanded), so the turkey was never on the table.

The Penguins won the last five games against the Dallas Stars and the last four at PPG Paints Arena, but this was the first time the teams met since 2019-20 because of the COVID pandemic.

Defenseman Mike Matheson returned to the Penguins lineup, but Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, and Evgeni Malkin were absent. Malkin skated for the first time Monday. Matheson played third pairing with Chad Ruhwedel.

God bless ya, Mike Lange. There is a hockey team in Pittsburgh in part because people couldn’t stop watching him. The monster TV ratings in Pittsburgh have direct lineage to generations of fans growing up glued to the broadcast, for Mario, for Sidney Crosby, and…for Mike Lange.

Breaking news—she sold the monkey.

We couldn’t stop her. She sold the damned monkey.
Grandma got in the fast lane was too late.
Though she did get a new razor to replace the rusty one and enough money to go hunt moose on a Harley.
I don’t know whether to cry or wind my watch

— Dan Kingerski 🇺🇦 (@TheDanKingerski) October 20, 2021