Penguins Dominate in First Win of Season
Evgeni Malkin had four points and Tristan Jarry notched a shutout in the Pittsburgh Penguins first victory of the year.
After a disappointing opening to the 2023-24 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins were hoping a matchup against a heated rival could jumpstart an early rebound.
The Penguins traveled to take on the Washington Capitals in their first game of the season, and they knew everyone would be juiced up for the contest.
On the first half of a back-to-back situation for the Penguins, there were no changes from their opening night lineup.
The tests came early, however, as the Capitals maintained consistent offensive pressure through the first 10 minutes of the game.
That pressure eventually faded and the Penguins managed to even out the battle, but the first period came to an end with no one finding twine.
The Penguins started the second frame with much more jump in their game and were able to capitalize with the first goal of the contest.
An Alex Ovechkin giveaway found its way to Evgeni Malkin who had all kinds of time and didn’t miss his chance.
Malkin found the net for his first goal of the season and got things rolling for the Penguins.
Just moments later, the Penguins found themselves with a man advantage and the power play found their first tally of the season.
A set shot from Malkin bounced off of Jake Guentzel’s stick, but Sidney Crosby found the loose change and had a full net to work with.
After some heavy pressure re-applied by the Capitals, the Penguins held strong and soon picked up another man advantage opportunity.
Crosby and the top power play unit picked up their second of the period to give the Penguins a 3-0 lead.
The Penguins carried that three-goal lead into the intermission and Malkin had factored in on every tally to this point.
For the second straight game, the Penguins entered the final frame with a lead and desperately looked to exercise some demons and close out a win.
The Penguins kept the pedal on the floor through the third period and after multiple good looks in the game, Reilly Smith broke through for his first of the season.
Not just Smith's first of the season, but first as a member of the Penguins; Malkin again factored in on the tally.
Fueled by a four-point game from Malkin and a solid 19-save performance from Tristan Jarry, the Penguins handed the Capitals their franchise's first shutout in a season opener.
The Penguins took a strong 4-0 win to even up their record and have a quick turn around with it being the first half of a back-to-back.
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