Penguins Keep Up, but Never Take Over in Loss to Bruins
The Pittsburgh Penguins did all they could to keep pace with the Boston Bruins, but not enough to be pushed over the edge.
PITTSBURGH - From the very start of the 2022-23 season, this contest against the Boston Bruins was likely going to be one of the most important for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
As the Penguins fight for every inch in the playoff race, the sentiment of importance ran deep.
Tristan Jarry looked to continue his good streak of solid performances as the starting goalie, but he didn’t get off to the best start.
In the dying seconds of a Chad Ruhwedel penalty, the Bruins capitalized for a power play goal to take a 1-0 lead.
At the time of the Bruins goal, the Penguins were yet to record a shot; that was until a little over a minute later when Bryan Rust scored after an outstanding effort from Sidney Crosby.
Rust’s tally not only tied the game, but was the Penguins first shot on goal of the contest.
The Penguins wrapped up the first period tied at one, but with only four shots to show for it.
The Bruins started the second period on the power play and again in the closing seconds of the advantage they found the back of the net.
A perfect deflection from David Pastrnak bounced past Jarry for his 100th point of the season.
Despite a much better showing from the Penguins, they failed to find the back of the net on a 5-on-3 opportunity while Jeremy Swayman stopped all 12 shots he faced in the second frame.
Rust entered the game on a bit of a down spell, but was credited with his second goal of the game when an odd bounce off of his shot found its way past Swayman.
Pastrnak made sure it was a battle of two-goal games, however, as quick snap shot quickly flew in then right out of the net.
The Penguins answered back with a goal from Jake Guentzel; the Bruins wasted a challenge on the play for goalie interference.
It looked more like Swayman refused to track the puck than any real interference.
Patranak, of all people, wasn't finished scoring; his hat trick goal put the Bruins back up by a goal with just over two minutes to play.
A two-man advantage from a power play and a pulled Jarry wasn't enough to spot the Penguins another goal as they fall to the Bruins for the third time this season.
It's still possible these two teams face each other in the opening round of the playoffs, but the Penguins have to find some wins first.
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