One Mistake Too Many, Sharks Bite Penguins in OT 3-2

The Pittsburgh Penguins needed more than a few minutes to adjust to their new season without winger Jake Guentzel. The San Jose Sharks scored two of the first three goals and were content to suffocate the Penguins offense until Patric Hornqvist tied the game with his second goal of the game in the final minute of the second period. The Penguins dominated the third period but could not score. Each team earned a point as the game went to overtime but San Jose defenseman Brent Burns scored an OT power-play goal for a 3-2 win.

San Jose controlled the first 40 minutes, even when the Penguins had the puck. The Penguins snapped 16 shots on San Jose goalie Aaron Dell, but had few good chances and no second chances.

Late in the first period, the Penguins didn’t need a second chance when Patric Hornqvist (8) capitalized on a San Jose turnover at the defensive blue line. He stormed the slot and beat Dell stick side to tie the game, 1-1.

However, the Penguins’ momentum was short-lived. Just 60 seconds later, the Penguins defenseman didn’t get their stories straight. After San Jose forward Patrick Marleau backchecked the puck away from John Marino, Marcus Pettersson tried to shove the puck back to Marino. The resulting turnover created the fourth San Jose two-on-one of the first period and Logan Couture whipped it bar down over Jarry’s shoulder for the second San Jose lead.

Jarry had allowed two or fewer goals in his seven of his last nine starts and four consecutive games, but San Jose posted a pair of goals in the first 20 minutes on Thursday night.

After a deflating second period in which San Jose took away the Penguins space as well as gave away their opportunities to ensure they did so, the Penguins finally cracked the Shark tank in the final minute of the second period. The Penguins lit the lamp moments after their first power play expired when Ale Galchneyuk held the puck down low and switched with Bryan Rust. Glachenyuk charged towards the net which opened space for Patric Hornqvist to be uncovered a few feet from the net.

Hornqvist (9), who became the most tenured last overall pick in NHL history on Thursday night by playing his 740th NHL game, neatly deflected Rust’s pass to the short side and the Penguins again had a clean slate with a tie game.

The Penguins surged in the third period. They drew their first full power play of the game and riddled Dell with several near misses. Suddenly the Penguins speed was on display and San Jose was chasing.

San Jose scored just a few minutes into the game. The Penguins newly formed fourth line with Sam Lafferty, Joseph Blandidsi and Dominik Kahun were burned when Tomas Hertl got inside of Lafferty and deflected defenseman Brent Burns pass through traffic and Jarry.

Jarry made 27 of 29 saves in regulation including a pair of game-saving nullifications on the San Jose power play in the second period. Dell made 36 of 38 in the first 60 minutes.