The Pittsburgh Penguins drop their second straight in the first half of back-to-back.

It was the start of a huge back-to-back for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they traveled to take on the Carolina Hurricanes.

Looking to get back into the win column, the Penguins started Tristan Jarry in net for the fourth straight game and pushed a struggling Rickard Rakell down a line.

All four games between these two teams last year were separated by just a goal, but it was the Hurricanes who came out on top each time.

The Penguins looked for a victory to not only build back some momentum for the season, but also propel up a few spots in the standings.

First Period

Both teams peppered the net early, forcing Jarry to come up with multiple huge saves on his first few shots faced.

Shortly after a pair of those saves from Jarry, captain Sidney Crosby gave the Penguins an early lead and extended his point streak to 11 games.

A shot-pass from Jake Guentzel found its way to Crosby who notched his team-leading 11^th goals of the season.

While carrying that one-goal lead, the Penguins closed out the first period while a man down and continued a strong run for the penalty killing units.

Second Period

Through the first stages of the second frame, the Penguins struggled to prouce much offense, picking up only two shots well past the half way point.

With momentum fully in their favor, the Hurricanes evened the score after some nifty passing to set up Sebastian Aho.

Jarry shut the door on the Hurricanes for the remainder of the period, sending the game into the second intermission with a 1-1 tie.

The Penguins recorded a total of five shots on goal the entire period, and were frankly lucky to be tied.

Third Period

An early period penalty taken by the Penguins eventually led to the Hurricanes taking their first lead of the contest.

It wasn't a power play goal for the Hurricanes, but Brent Burns squeezed a shot through Jarry as the penalty expired.

The Hurricanes thought they picked up their third goal of the game, but a successful coach's challenge from the Penguins took that tally of the board.

Still within a goal, the Penguins needed to capitalize on their extra life, and they did just that.

A great breakout play from Erik Karlsson drove the momentum into the Penguins favor and a shot from Kris Letang reached Crosby who banked home his second of the game.

Letang's assist was good for his 700th NHL point.

The Hurricanes regained their lead, however, with an easy tip-in for Seth Jarvis.

No new goals were added forcing the Penguins to pull Jarry with a minute and a half remaining, but almost immediately, Karlsson took a penalty to save from an empty netter against.

With a minute left, the Penguins would look to knot the game while short handed.

Jarvis eventually notched his second of the night on the empty net to just about seal the game for the Hurricanes.

Following a five-game winning streak, the Penguins have now lost two straight and more tough competition awaits.

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