The Pittsburgh Penguins fought back the entire contest against the Vancouver Canucks but just barely fell short.

PITTSBURGH – As the Pittsburgh Penguins hurdle toward the midway point of the season, they play host to a Vancouver Canucks team riddled with former teammates. Five current Canucks have laced it up with the Penguins but come game time friendships were put on hold.

The Penguins rolled with the hot hand of Alex Nedeljkovic in goal as the lineup remained the same as their contest against the Philadelphia Flyers.

First Period

The Canucks entered Pittsburgh as one of the top teams in the NHL, and it showed early with a nice stick handle and passing play from Elias Pettersson to set up the opening goal. Pettersson found Brock Boeser streaking in an completed a tough pass through a crowded slot.

Not long after the game-opening goal, Sidney Crosby was sent to the box for tripping and the Canucks took quick advantage of their power play opportunity. A shot from J.T. Miller was deflected by Boeser for his second tally of the night.

The Penguins were getting dominated by the Canucks but got a jolt from their own Pettersson as Marcus Pettersson let loose a burner from the point that beat Thatcher Demko. Pettersson’s first goal of the year capped off a great shift from the Penguins’ fourth line giving Jansen Harkin and Jeff Carter assists.

It didn’t take much more time for the Canucks to answer back with their Pettersson placing a perfect deflection past Nedeljkovic. Pettersson had factored in on all three of the Canucks’ goals to carry a 3-1 lead into intermission.

Second Period

The Penguins entered the second period with Tristan Jarry between the pipes in place of Nedeljkovic in hopes to create a spark for the skaters. The Penguins also ruled Reilly Smith out for the remainder of the game after he suffered an injury following a hit in the opening period.

Despite being a man down, Crosby and the Penguins made the first move of the period with a perfectly placed shot from the captain. Crosby continues his MVP-worthy campaign with his team leading 23^rd goal of the season.

Crosby’s goal was the only bit of offense produced by either team in the second frame. Jarry made some big stops in relief and the Penguins seemed to have a better grasp on the game as a whole. Entering the final frame down by only seemed like a good spot to be.

Third Period

The Penguins needed a big third period to pull out crucial standings points in their hunt for a playoff spot. They had responded well to to early deficits but needed complete one last comeback.

As the period passed the 10-minute mark, the level of heat rose between the teams. Hits and extra curricular activity was traded by both sides and a bad retaliation penalty from Lars Eller gave the Canucks a chance on the power play.

The Penguins managed to kill of the Eller penalty, but still needed to find an answer on offense. They were unable to find an answer on a late power play opportunity.

With just over two minutes remaining and dominating the shot clock, the Penguins pulled Jarry for the extra attacker.

The Penguins continued their push, and it finally paid off with another goal from Crosby. Trying to screen Demko, an Erik Karlsson shot bounced off of Crosby into the cage to tie the game and force overtime.

The Penguins took 14 shots in the final frame to finally come up with the late tying tally.

Overtime

Guaranteed at least an overtime standings point, no matter how the overtime period went the Penguins weren't leaving empty handed.

A lengthy breakaway from Elias Pettersson just barely squeaked through Jarry to seal the win for the Canucks. The Penguins fought hard, but just couldn't find the last goal when it mattered most.

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