PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Three get their first goals as Pittsburgh Penguins in a lopsided 6-1 win over the Kings Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena.
"It was big for them," said forward Jason Zucker of Jan Rutta, Jeff Petry and Ryan Poehling scoring. "They have been playing great for us to start the year. They are going to be big parts of this team for the rest of the season. It was good to get that first one, get it out of the way and just play their game."
How it Happened
Only 12 goals in his six-year NHL career, defenseman Jan Rutta got the scoring started by just doing what the crowd so often asks 'to shoot the puck'. Just 4:04 into the game, a deep shot by the defenseman got through thanks to a screen by Zucker in front.
"Not much to it, just shot it from the blue line," Rutta said. "Kudos to the forwards, obviously the screens are always huge."
Still up 1-0 with LA dominating zone time and shots on net, a puck gets loose in front of LA goalie Cal Petersen. A burst by Kris Letang as he gets it, flips it from behind the net into the crease where Jake Guentzel bangs it home, 2-0.
Four minutes later after a shot by Petry hit the crossbar on the left side, Rickard Rakell darted through the crease to collect the puck and a blind, backhand shot finds the goal for a 3-0 lead.
Kings would hold a 16-9 shot advantage after the first period, but trailed 3-0 and switched to Jonathan Quick in net to start the second period. Second team power play on the ice and Petry blasts one near the blue line and again a screen from Zucker and it's 4-0 Pens.
"To get the first one is a relief," Petry said. "I've had some looks, had some good shots. It's good to get that one under my belt."
Pens would add a fifth goal in the third period on perfect passing from Petry to Kasperi Kapanen right on the stick of a streaking Jeff Carter. His breakaway made it 5-0. A short-handed steal by Poehling gave the Pens a sixth and final tally.
Scary
Off a faceoff win midway through the third, Kris Letang spun and fired a shot towards the net and it appeared to hit Guentzel in the side of the head. After kneeling on the ice for a minute or two, Guentzel skated off, hunched over under his own power.
There was no update after the game, he was being evaluated. Pens Head Coach Mike Sullivan did think it was a late hit by the Kings Brendan Lemieux earlier in the third with an elbow near the head that knocked Guentzel down by the boards.
"I didn't see the exact hit, but I think it was completely unnecessary," Zucker said. "It was a 5-0 game and he goes to touch the puck after a penalty. I think it's a ridiculous play."
Jarry 'unbelievable'
A shutout until two-and-a-half minutes left in the game, Tristan Jarry stopped 39 shots Thursday night.
"I thought Tristan was a big part of it," Sullivan said. "Tristan made some big saves. We were able to get a lead, but Tristan was a big part of it for sure."
"Jars was unbelievable," Zucker said.
"He made save after save throughout the entire game. He was unreal."
Jarry is tied for the NHL lead with three wins, he had a .952 save percentage and 1.67 goals against average.
"I just want to get better every year," Jarry said. "Every year I want to take a step. Be a little more mature and games under me. Being able to start, knowing what to expect. It does nothing but help."
18 home goals in 3 games
Pens are 3-0 at home and scored six goals in each, outscoring their opponents 18-5.
"Certainly our guys are finishing," Sullivan said. "They are creating opportunities, that's an important aspect of it. I think we got a little puck-luck tonight that certainly helped us. I think our team has played pretty well here at home."
"We have a ways to go."
300th win
Mike Sullivan became the first Penguins coach to win 300 games Thursday.
"It's humbling," Sullivan said. "It means a lot. I'm grateful to the players. They are the guys that earn the wins for us. These guys I've been coaching during my time here have been working so hard to bring the success that we've had on the ice. I'm grateful to those guys. Those are the ones that make the sacrifices every day."
Lines the Same
Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell
Jason Zucker-Evgeni Malkin-Bryan Rust
Danton Heinen-Jeff Carter-Kasperi Kapanen
Brock McGinn-Ryan Poehling-Josh Archibald
Brian Dumoulin-Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson-Jeff Petry
PO Joseph-Jan Rutta
*Chad Ruhwedel remains a healthy scratch
*Center Teddy Blueger is skating, but not ready to return from injury
Up Next
Thursday was the last home game in October, the Pens play at Columbus Saturday followed by a western road trip with games in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Seattle.
