Penguins Drop Second Straight OT Game
For the second game in a row, the Pittsburgh Penguins erase a two-goal deficit just to lose in overtime.
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins traveled to take on the Carolina Hurricanes with a battered and bruised roster and lineup changes were being made all the way up to puck drop. Reilly Smith is expected to be out long-term, forcing Radim Zohorna back into the lineup.
Noel Acciari was also a late scratch giving recent recall Colin White an opportunity to make his Penguins debut. With all 32 NHL teams in action, the Penguins were ready for an important matchup against a tough Hurricanes team.
First Period
From the second the puck dropped, the Hurricanes carried all of the momentum. Tristan Jarry made multiple huge saves in the opening minutes, but the Hurricanes continued to apply pressure.
After six minutes of dominating the pace of play, they finally broke through Jarry for the opening goal of the contest. With their foot still on the pedal, the Hurricanes took a quick 2-0 lead.
The Hurricanes didn’t let up through the remainder of the opening period taking their lead into the first intermission. The Penguins were going to need to change their game plan to still have a chance after starting behind by two.
Second Period
The Penguins took better hold of the second period but came up with no offense. Even with a ton of time spent on special teams, the Penguins couldn’t find any sort of scoring. They watched a 5-on-3 chance slide away in the dying minute of the period.
The second frame came to an end with the Penguins failing to score and still trailing by a pair of goals.
Third Period
Throughout the second frame the Penguins were all over Hurricanes goalie Antti Raanta. On more than one occasion, it seemed like Raanta was in pain enough to be taken out of the game.
Raanta stuck it out, however, and continued to stand tall against the Penguins. Raanta made a huge save against Sidney Crosby who was wide open on Raanta's glove side.
On the very next shift, though, the Penguins first line wouldn't be denied twice as Crosby found Jake Guentzel on a a very similar play. This time around, Guentzel beat Raanta to give the Penguins some life.
Following the Penguins' goal, the netminders took over the game keeping the puck out of both cages. Entering the final two minutes, the Penguins were still behind by a single goal.
With Jarry pulled the Penguins looked to recreate some magic with the extra attacker. As the ticked just under a minute, a huge rebound found Bryan Rust with an open net and he didn't miss his chance to tie the game.
Thanks to Rust's last minute tally, the Penguins secured at least yet another standings point and forced another overtime period.
Overtime
The Penguins haven't been great in the overtime frame this season with only a single win in extra time, but they looked to find some success in Carolina. No matter what it was yet another one-goal game.
The Hurricanes didn't waste much time in sealing their victory, however, as they recorded the first and only shot on goal in overtime. The shot made it's way past Jarry for the Hurricanes' fifth consecutive defeat of the Penguins on their home ice.
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