PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - Pens close road trip on a high note with a 4-1 win over the Coyotes.
A scoreless first period as the Penguins had numerous chances outshooting the Coyotes 19 to 5 in the period but Scott Wedgewood kept them out of the net. The Penguins had multiple chances right in front of the net but were unable to score.
Evgeni Malkin had a great chance at a loose puck and Wedgwood stopped it along with a one timer chance by Evan Rodrigues that was also denied by Wedgewood
Pittsburgh got on the board first on a one timer goal from Kasperi Kapanen on a pass from Jeff Carter to make it 1-0 Pittsburgh. It was Kapanen’s first goal since January 23rd.
"Just a matter of time," said Kapanen. "Just trying to stay positive and throw pucks on the net and get one of those goals. Obviously it feels good."
Kris Letang rang one off the post in a great chance but the score remained 1-0 Penguins 8 minutes into the second period.
After a one time chance by Rodrigues in front of the net that was saved, Anton Stralman found Clayton Keller for a breakaway goal with two defenders trailing him that Jarry initially saved but his pad knocked it in with 8:29 to play in the second, tying the game at 1.
After a penalty on Arizona, a second penalty was assessed to Keller for tripping as the Pens went on a 5 on 3 power play in the final 30 seconds of the period.
Wedgewood did a full on split to make a save as Crosby tried to go five-hole on him but was denied. After two periods it remained 1-1.
The Pens came up empty on the 5 on 3 at the beginning of the third period as the game remained 1-1.
Malkin was denied by Wedgewood but a bouncing puck off the save went back to Malkin to the side of the net and he poked a shot over the glove into the net to make it 2-1 Pittsburgh with under 8 minutes to play in the game.
Sidney Crosby put the game away on a Jake Guentzel pass to him in front of the net as he beat Wedgewood with a wrist shot to make it 3-1 Pens with under 4 minutes left.
Crosby with an empty netter gave the Pens the 4-1 wins over the Coyotes.
Kapanen Ends Cold Streak
Kasperi Kapanen snapped a 20 game streak of not scoring a goal when he scored the opening goal of the game against the Coyotes. Mike Sullivan says this could be good things to come for him.
“His last handful of games he’s been really good. His speed is evident. We’re all really happy that he scored. The bench was ecstatic for him, it just shows how much his teammates really like him. He’s a guy that could break out,” said Sullivan.
Power Play Woes Continue
Penguins came up empty on the power play again as they went 0-3 and are not 0 for their last 14 attempts. Last time they scored a power play goal was against Vegas March 11. Sullivan says they’ve lost their mojo.
“They’ve had some really great opportunities to score,” said Sullivan. “The puck will eventually go in for them if they continue to get the looks. They just got to stay with it. I think when they get that they get a certain swagger that’s pretty easy to recognize. I just think they’ve lost a little bit of that but they'll get it back.”
Up Next:
Penguins return home to face the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday at 7:00. Columbus beat the Blues 5-4 on Saturday.