Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang teamed up for seven points in a 5-2 win over the Ottawa Senators.
Evgeni Malkin had three goals and an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-2 on Sunday night in Sudbury. Sidney Crosby had two goals and Kris Letang had two assists. The Sens outshot Pittsburgh 30-19, but didn't finish their chances and had way too many defensive breakdowns.
The Senators opened the scoring on a nice bit of work by Nick Cousins. In the past, it felt fourth-line Sens players could go games without great scoring chances. Cousins got two in a matter of seconds. Tristan Jarry made a nice save on the first one but moments later, Cousins was all alone in front again and ripped home a shot to make it 1-0.
Sidney Crosby tied the game on a big defensive breakdown by the Sens. On a Pens rush down the left wing, left defenceman Tyler Kleven swung over to the right side, leaving Crosby to head to the far post unchecked, where he redirected the puck past Anton Forsberg. It appeared like Kleven thought Cousins would pick up Crosby.
Tim Stutzle then put the Sens in front, taking a pass in flight from Travis Hamonic before scoring on a low snap shot to beat Jarry and take a 2-1 lead after one.
In the middle frame, it was the Evgeni Malkin show. Malkin scored twice to give the Penguins a 3-2 lead. On a ten-ply soft interference call on Ridly Greig, Malkin scored on the ensuing power play and a fluky deflection that lobbed over top of Forsberg. Just over two minutes later, he beat Thomas Chabot's poke check attempt
In the third, Sens fans got a good scare when captain Brady Tkachuk went down with what looked like a shoulder injury. Kris Letang mishandled the puck at Ottawa's blue line and Tkachuk looked like he might have a breakaway until Letang interfered with him. Tkachuk went down grabbing his right shoulder and briefly left the game, He returned after a few minutes.
Crosby added some insurance, again setting up on the far post and burying a saucer pass from Bryan Rust. Making sure the greatest player of his generation isn't left all alone at the far post should probably be something the Sens discuss at their next practice.
Malkin completed his hat trick with an empty netter.
The Senators pre-season record drops to 2-2 and they head to Montreal on Tuesday night. In the meantime, the boys should think no more of that stinko on a Sudbury Sunday night.