Mason McTavish scores a last minute goal to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It seems to be the blueprint for Pittsburgh Penguins games this season. The Penguins controlled puck possession and created most of the scoring chances but fell short when it mattered most.

The Anaheim Ducks spent most of the game in their zone, forced to play defense, while the Penguins swarmed Lukas Dostal in the final two periods. The Ducks waited for their moment and capitalized when it came their way, scoring the game-winning goal in the final 15 seconds.

Goal Recap

(PIT 1-0) Erik Karlsson (2): Evgeni Malkin (6) & Reilly Smith (3) <PP>

(TIE 1-1) Jakob Silfverberg (1): Max Jones (2) & Pavel Mintyukov (4)

(ANA 2-1) Frank Vatrano (9): Cam Fowler (3) & Mason McTavish (6) <PP>

(TIE 2-2) Evgeni Malkin (5): Erik Karlsson (4) & Sidney Crosby (5) <PP>

(PIT 3-2) Radim Zohorna (2): Drew O'Connor (2) & Lars Eller (3)

(TIE 3-3) Mason McTavish (4): Ryan Strome (9) & Pavel Mintyukov (5)

(ANA 4-3) Mason McTavish (5): Adam Henrique (4) <SH>

Three Stars

3. Pavel Mintyukov

Most hype surrounding this Ducks team was about first-round pick Leo Carlsson leading up to this matchup, but Mintyukov stole the show once the game began.

The 19-year-old rookie defenseman notched two assists in 16:55 of ice time against the Penguins. He was quick to join the rush, creating multiple scoring chances, but played tough in his zone throughout the game as well.

2. Lukas Dostal

Dostal followed the footsteps of the goaltenders who previously played the Penguins. Stand in the net and make the easy saves, of which there will be a lot. Dostal made a few saves on grade-A chances, but most of his 33 were unscreened shots from the point that he safely snatched out of the air.

The Penguins once again failed to get traffic in front and allowed an opposing goaltender to gain confidence and stability in the net.

1. Mason McTavish

McTavish punctuated a three-point night with the game-winning goal with 11 seconds remaining in regulation. He was the beneficiary of a pair of Penguins errors. First, a turnover by Kris Letang left McTavish alone in front of Jarry. The 20-year-old center spent little time opening Tristan Jarry's five-hole to tie the game at three.

Later in the period, McTavish probably had thought he cost his team the game when he took a tripping penalty that negated a Ducks power play and set up the Penguins with one of their own. Instead, he played the hero when he came out of the box and took a feed from Adam Henrique on a breakaway, beating Jarry for the second time in the third period.

Final Thoughts

This game was the perfect example of how the Penguins want to play. Control the puck possession, win faceoffs, and limit the opposition to just a handful of scoring chances. The one fatal flaw in that plan tonight was Tristan Jarry.

Jarry failed to make a timely save on multiple occasions, stalling the Penguins' momentum and keeping the Ducks in the game.

Pittsburgh will have a four-day break leading to Karlsson's return to San Jose as the Penguins take on the Sharks on Saturday night.

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