PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Down 3-1 in the second period, the Pens with four unanswered goals leading to a ninth straight win, beating St. Louis 5-3.
“We are taking pride in finding ways to win games different ways,” said Pens forward Bryan Rust. “Whether we get up early or down early or we scratch and claw to fight back late. Our ability to win different ways has been coming out lately. That’s a sign of good things and hopefully we can keep building on that.”
Evan Rodrigues slapped home his 14th on the power play 12 seconds after Sidney Crosby tied it to give the Pens their first lead with just over seven minutes to play. Brock McGinn would put it away with a goal with 1:39 left.
The Pens on the power play after the Blues challenged the Crosby goal, but it was upheld leading to a two-minute penalty on St. Louis.
“It’s a difficult challenge for any coaching staff because there is a lot of gray area, especially when you take into consideration the time on the clock, score of the game,” Pens head coach Mike Sullivan said of the challenge. “It potentially could be a two-goal swing, which is was tonight.”
Rust scored the first two goals of the game, making five goals in his last two games.
Gordie Howe Hat Trick
When thinking of the Pens players who would qualify for the Gordie Howe Hat Trick of a goal, an assist and a fight. Crosby would be down the list, but his fight inspired his teammates. He would later score his game-tying goal right in front of the net.
“He was in beast-mode tonight,” Sullivan said. “He commands the puck. He is so strong on the puck. The goal he scores was vintage Crosby for me. When he is playing the game that way, he is the standard-bearer for the team. He raises the intensity level for our group.”
“He establishes a certain expectation that flows through our bench. Everybody has the responsibility to play the game a certain way when your captain and your best player is leading by example the way he was tonight.”
“I think he leads by example,” said goalie Tristan Jarry. “That’s why he’s the best in the world at what he does. He brings another level to his game, every game. I think the team just follows suit. I think that’s the best way to lead, by example.”
DeSmith pulled
After giving up the third goal, making back-to-back starts Casey DeSmith pulled in the second period. Sullivan said it was an instinctual decision saying a combination of DeSmith not playing well and waking up the team.
Tristan Jarry had one practice since returning from COVID-19 protocols and stopped all 13 shots he saw for the win.
“Just trying to keep my game easy, keep my game simple,” Jarry said. “I think keeping it simple is the best way to do things.”
“It was a wake-up call to the rest of us,” Rust said. “It shows that we weren’t as tight in front of Casey as we could have been. I think that’s on us. I think after that we were out there playing hard.”
Players back
Pens returned three to the starting lineup. Forwards Kasperi Kapanen and Teddy Blueger back from COVID-19 protocol. Blueger had a primary assist on the McGinn goal to make it 5-3.
Brian Boyle also returned after missing the game on Sunday. Boyle out for the birth of his third child.
Kasper Bjorkqvist remained in the lineup following a goal in his first game against San Jose. Bjorkqvist may continue to get opportunities following the Sam Lafferty trade.
Up Next
Pens are right back at it Thursday night at Philadelphia for the start of a scheduled six-game road trip.