PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – They are still a long-shot, but the Pens followed up Monday night’s upset at the Rangers with a five-goal third period for a 6-3 win at New Jersey.
You combine this with Buffalo crushing the Wild Card co-leading Capitals and the Pens are only three points out of the playoffs with seven games to play.
Wild Card
Tampa Bay-74 games 89 points
Washington-74 games 82 points
Detroit-75 games 82 points
Islanders-74 games 79 points
PENS-74 games 79 points
New Jersey-75 games 76 pointsBuffalo-75 games 75 points
In the Metropolitan Division, there is one spot available (Rangers and Hurricanes clinched) and the Flyers are in that spot currently with 83 points through 76 games, although their head coach John Tortorella just ripped them publicly for several lacking guts in a recent loss.
The Pens had 12 shots after the second period Tuesday night and trailed 3-1 on the road against a team one point behind them. Sidney Crosby started the avalanche with a power play goal, his 38th. Then just over a minute later, a tipped shot by Evgeni Malkin tied it. Rickard Rakell gave the Pens the lead with a tip-in of his own off Markus Pettersson’s 24th assist. Malkin scored off a Michael Bunting shot 22 seconds later and then Crosby finished it with an empty netter 29 seconds after that.
Alex Nedeljkovic became the first Pens goalie since 2018 with wins on back-to-back nights, saving 23 shots.
Up Next
Another four-point game as the Pens have Wednesday off and play at the Capitals on Thursday night. Monster playoff implications in the 7p matchup.