Pittsburgh Penguins' defenseman Erik Karlsson says he will try out wearing a neck guard after tragic accident to Adam Johnson. The Pittsburgh Penguins looked to find their legs after a tough first month of the season by kicking off a three-game California road trip against a struggling San Jose Sharks team. Heading into the matchup, all of the momentum was leaning in the Penguins favor; Sidney Crosby’s 1,200th career game, Erik Karlsson’s return to San Jose, and Jeff Carter being healthy scratched from the lineup. Not only was the momentum in their favor, they took advantage of an early power play to get on the board first. The Sharks took a penalty in the opening minute, which was quickly capitalized by Reilly Smith. Just 90 seconds into the contest, Smith got the Penguins an early lead and continued to help rebuild a struggling power play unit. Smith wasn’t done with just a power play goal as a few minutes down the line, he banged home his second goal of the period. With his sixth tally of the season, Smith stepped in as the Penguins leader in goals. After killing off a 5-on-3 disadvantage, the Penguins took their 2-0 lead into the locker room for the first intermission. It didn’t take the Penguins long into the second frame to score not just one but two more tallies to take a 4-0 lead. Jake Guentzel added to the night of milestones with his 200th career goal assisted by P.O. Joseph who returned to the lineup to play his 100th career game. Vinnie Hinostroza wasted no time to follow Guentzel with his first goal in a Penguins uniform while taking over Carter’s spot in the lineup. The Sharks finally broke through for their first goal of the game, but the Penguins hopped right back into the lead and then some. Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang both tallied goals of their own within a minute of the Sharks scoring on the power play. After Letang made it 6-1 in the Penguins favor, the Sharks pulled Mackenzie Blackwood from goal in favor of Magnus Chrona making his NHL debut. Former Sharks forward Matt Nieto got in on the action with his first goal in a Penguins uniform; the goal was also his 200th career point in the NHL. The second period finally came to an end with the Penguins now holding a 7-1 lead with points from 13 different skaters. Early in the final frame, Bryan Rust added to the boat race to make it a 8-1 lead for the Penguins. The Sharks notched a second power play tally, but once again, the Penguins answered right back with another power play goal of their own. Malkin picked up his second of the night, but things continued to get worse for the Sharks. Guentzel scored his second of the game and for the second consecutive game, the Sharks allowed 10 goals against. Ryan Shea picked up his first career point on the Guentzel goal, as well, just to add to the laundry list of milestones. The slaughter finally came to an end and the Penguins found their way back to the win column in more than dominating fashion. To recap: Malkin, Rust, and Smith all scored a pair of goals, there were a number of milestones, and Hinostroza made his Penguins debut with a pair of points. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more. Sidney Crosby Plays in 1,200th Career Game [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-sidney-crosby-plays-1200-career-game] Jeff Carter Officially Scratched from Penguins Lineup [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/jeff-carter-officially-scratched-pittsburgh-penguins-lineup] Neck Guard Mandate Set for Penguins Affiliates [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/neck-guard-mandate-set-pittsburgh-penguins-affiliates] Elite Defender Needs To Step Up on Penguins Power Play [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/erik-karlsson-needs-step-up-pittsburgh-penguins-power-play] Time for Sidney Crosby To Put Penguins on His Shoulders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/time-sidney-crosby-put-pittsburgh-penguins-shoulders] * undefined * undefined
