PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – His first game back from COVID protocols with his team on a losing streak, defenseman Kris Letang scored the game-winner on a wrap around in overtime for a 3-2 win over the Flyers.
At first it was called a no-goal, then after a fairly lengthy review, overturned. Pens get their first win since October 23.
"I knew it was close," Letang said. "I didn't know 100% if the puck crossed the entire goal line. In the scrum, I told the referee right way, I said 'you should check it'."
"Doesn't look like he missed a beat," said forward Jake Guentzel. "The guy does it all for us. To see him rewarded for that goal was pretty special. Just a leader for us and a guy we can count on in all situations."
"That was a really impressive effort by Kris," said acting head coach Todd Reirden. "We were a little bit shorthanded back there to begin with. He was going into the game at not nearly 100%. I thought he was outstanding and great to see him get rewarded with a great overtime winner for us."
Pens came into the game not only a few stars due to injury and COVID-19, but their head coach as well. Mike Sullivan testing positive on Thursday. They were also facing their biggest rival who had won three of its last four.
Pens forward Brock McGinn scored the opening goal 16 seconds into the game as Mike Matheson kept the puck in the zone and put it on next and a high-skilled deflection by McGinn to make it 1-0 early.
"I thought the team was cheerful, business as usual," Letang said. "Guys were focused and ready to go. We saw it from the get-go, we got a big goal right off the bat."
"You have to live with it. That's it."
Philly would tie it at one with a power play goal in the second period. Then Jake Guentzel scored four minutes later. As he entered the zone, he collected the puck and then whiffed on a shot. Quickly he gathered himself and the whiff actually threw Flyers goalie Carter Hart off a bit and allowed Jeff Carter to get in front and screen him. 2-1 Pens.
Flyers would tie it with just under three minutes to play before Letang won it in overtime. In his first game since October 19, Letang played 28 minutes and 55 seconds. Five minutes more than any other player Thursday night.
"It's a nice win," Letang said. "We can't control what is happening. We are testing positive. Even if guys are feeling good, they cannot play. It's part of the protocol. Our goalie tonight was outstanding. Jars kept us in the game the whole night."
Tristan Jarry stopped 36 shots, 17 in the first period.
"I thought Tristan was outstanding tonight," Reirden said. "Really solid, under control, poised. I think that's how he's looked for a large majority of the season. I thought it was a really important win for him."
"When guys go down, guys step up and it didn't stop with the coaches today," Guentzel said. "An overall good effort tonight."
Pens now have points in every game, five, that Kris Letang played.
Lineups
With the COVID protocol players along with injuries, here was the Pens starting lineup Thursday.
Forwards
Jake Guentzel-Jeff Carter-Danton Heinen
Jason Zucker-Evan Rodrigues-Kasperi Kapanen
Zach Aston-Reese-Teddy Blueger-Brock McGinn
Drew O'Connor-Brian Boyle-Dominik Simon
Defensemen
Mike Matheson-Kris Letang
Pierre-Olivier Joseph-John Marino
Mark Friedman-Juuso Riikola
Up Next
Pens finish their eight-game homestand Saturday night hosting the Minnesota Wild at 7p.
