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NASHVILLE, Tenn — A late power play wasn’t enough for the Pittsburgh Penguins (15-14-5) to get the winning goal in regulation. Brayn Rust netted the overtime winner to defeat the Nashville Predators (8-17-7) 5-4 in overtime at Bridgestone Arena Thursday.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was injured in the third period and spent time with the trainer. Yet, his tireless work midway through the third period, as he withstood heavy contact from Ryan O’Reilly and lunged to keep the offensive zone play alive, resulted in Erik Karlsson’s (3) game-tying wrist shot through traffic at 11:37 of the third period.
The goal tied the game 4-4, and it was the Penguins’ third straight game that needed overtime. Crosby had four points, scoring one goal and assisting on each of the goals in regulation.
Rust (14) ended the wild, sloppy overtime with a wrister from the slot. It was his second goal of the game.
The Penguins’ penchant for giving up goals on one of the first five shots has become so unbelievable as to be comical. Often, the goal is scored because of their own bad decisions, but sometimes, like Thursday, it’s sheer bad luck.
Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry made a brilliant save on Nashville’s first shot but was abandoned on the second.
Penguins winger Michael Bunting’s shot was well above the net, and most players thought the puck hit the netting above the glass. Even Nashville players pointed upward to call for a whistle. No whistle was forthcoming and Nashville was gifted an odd-man rush that Jonathan Marchessault (9) finished at 3:51 of the first period. It was Nashville’s second shot.
Later in the first period, Bryan Rust (13) finished a slick tic-tac-toe from Sidney Crosby through Rickard Rakell to Rust on the doorstep at 16:21 of the first period.
However, Nashville reclaimed the lead just 1:36 after Rust’s goal. After referees gave Anthony Beauvillier an interference minor, Nashville forward Luke Evangelista slipped through the Penguins penalty kill to bury a juicy rebound.
Nashville scored again early in the second period as their up-tempo style scrambled the Penguins zone coverage. Steven Stamkos (9) was alone on the near side of the net and easily slammed a deceptive pass by Filip Forsberg into the yawning cage at 3:38 of the second.
Then, the Penguins found their legs. Finally.
Fans may credit Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dave Molinari for breaking the ice with Crosby. On Wednesday, Molinari asked Crosby about his 10-game goalless slide.
“Usually, when I’m asked about it, that’s when it starts to change, so thank you,” Crosby said with a smile. “What took you so long?”
Read More: Here’s Why Crosby Feels Goal-Scoring Slump Might End Soon
Crosby indeed broke his slump in the second period with a power-play goal. Moments after hitting the post with a clapper from the slot, Crosby (9) redirected a perfect setup from defenseman Erik Karlsson at 7:54. Crosby also delivered some stern side-eye to Michael McCarron, who had walloped him moments earlier.
Just 1:14 later, the Penguins tied the game when Rakell’s shot from the corner (or a pass?) hit Jeremy Lauzon’s stick in the slot and perfectly deflected past Nashville goalie Juuso Saros at 9:08.
The Penguins had just five shots on goal well into the second period and exited with only nine, were tied, 3-3.
However, Penguins breakdowns again gave Nashville an odd-man rush, which defenseman Brady Skjei (3) finished for a 4-3 lead at 7:44 of the third.
Jarry stopped 21 of 25. Saros 16 of 20. While neither goalie’s stat line is impressive, both had to make several sparkling saves.
Penguins Game 34, Big Name Busts; Lines, Notes & How to Watch vs. Predators
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