GAME RECAP: Penguins vs. Capitals
Special teams success leads Pittsburgh Penguins to first win of the season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins followed their disappointing season-opening loss with a polar opposite performance against their biggest rivals. Special teams were the deciding factor, as the Penguins potted two power play goals and shut down the Alex Ovechkin-led Capitals power play.
Outside of special teams, the Penguins stars dominated in this game. Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, and Jake Guentzel scored multiple points en route to their first win of the 2023-24 season.
Goal Recap
(PIT 1-0) Evgeni Malkin (1): Rickard Rakell (1) & Erik Karlsson (1)
(PIT 2-0) Sidney Crosby (2): Jake Guentzel (2) & Evgeni Malkin (1) <PP>
(PIT 3-0) Sidney Crosby (3): Evgeni Malkin (2) & Jake Guentzel (3) <PP>
(PIT 4-0) Reilly Smith (1): Evgeni Malkin (3)
Three Stars
3. Sidney Crosby
Crosby continued his hot start to the season, scoring two power play goals in the second period in Washington. Crosby's line got off to a shaky start to this one, spending a few shifts hemmed into the defensive zone, but turned the tide midway through the period and never looked back.
2. Tristan Jarry
After seeing familiar complaints about his game in the Penguins' opener, Jarry responded by securing his first shutout of the young season. The Penguins' netminder stopped 19 Capitals shots, none more pivotal than when he shut down an Alex Ovechkin breakaway late in the second period that preserved the Penguins' three-goal lead.
1. Evgeni Malkin
Malkin had his fingerprints all over this game from the beginning. He nearly scored early on a between-the-legs shot on Charlie Lindgren. What followed was a four-point performance (1G-3A) and a firm reminder that he can take over a game at any moment.
Final Thoughts
Speaking of Malkin, he and Reilly Smith have gotten off to a good start this season. If there was any question about their chemistry, it has quickly dissipated. Smith broke through in the third period to score his first goal as a member of the Penguins but had multiple Grade A chances throughout the contest.
The Penguins have a quick turnaround as they face the Calgary Flames tonight at PPG Paints Arena.
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