Bryan Rust discusses the Pittsburgh Penguins opening night loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. After a long offseason, the Pittsburgh Penguins are back on the ice in one of the most anticipated games of the NHL calendar. Not only do the Penguins return to the ice looking to hunt for a playoff spot, but Chicago Blackhawks first overall pick Connor Bedard makes his NHL debut. Once the pageantry of a rookie lap for Bedard and the usual roster presentations for opening night was wrapped, it was time to get down to business on a brand new season. Tristan Jarry was given the nod between the pipes for the Penguins and the start of his bounce back year added to the narrative of the game. With all eyes on Pittsburgh, it was the Penguins who got on the board first with a deflected shot that quickly found its way in and out of the net. The goal wasn’t called right away, but Bryan Rust was eventually given credit for a deflection giving the Penguins a 1-0 lead. Looking for a tally in his first career game, Bedard made some noise with a couple of opportunities, but Jarry stopped everything through the first 20 minutes. It was a busy first period for both teams as the Penguins piled up 13 shots to the Blackhawks 17. After a fairly evenly matched start to the second period, the Penguins notched their second tally of the contest after some slick passing from the Sidney Crosby line. After an offside review it was determined that the goal would count, but it was a close one. The Blackhawks didn’t take long to respond and Bedard would be recorded for an assist for his first career point in the NHL. Defending a lead in the third period is something the Penguins struggled with quite a bit last season, and they would have to give it a go again heading into the final frame up by one. Maintaining a third period lead is something that still needs to be ironed out by the Penguins as the Blackhawks would knot the score at two just past the midway point of the frame. With four and a half minutes remaining in regulation, a deflected pass found an open Blackhawk who beat Jarry to take a late 3-2 lead. With Jarry pulled, the Penguins put together some fair chances, but the Blackhawks eventually tapped home the empty netter. The clock would eventually tick down on a 4-2 Blackhawks victory. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/news/connor-bedard-makes-nifty-debut-but-veterans-make-difference-as-blackhawks-stun-penguins-with-4-2-win] Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more. What To Expect From Penguins Waiver Claim [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/expect-pittsburgh-penguins-john-ludvig] Opener Sets Stage for Exciting Time for Penguins and League [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/opener-stage-exciting-pittsburgh-penguins-league] Inside the Penguins 2023-24 Season Predictions [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/inside-pittsburgh-penguins-2023-24-predictions] Penguins Set for Clash of Generational Talents [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/pittsburgh-penguins-clash-generational-talents] Jake Guentzel In Lineup for Penguins Opener [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/breaking-news/jake-guentzel-in-lineup-pittsburgh-penguins] * undefined * undefined
