PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It had been over a month since the last Pens power play goal, they got a pair Tuesday-one from Jeff Carter and he also added a shorty as the Pens beat Arizona 4-2.
In his previous 20 games, Carter had one goal. It was Carter’s first multi-goal game since January 11, 2022 against the Ducks.
“He’s just a really good pro,” said Pens head coach Mike Sullivan. “I think he recognizes the circumstance and he wants to do anything he can to help the team win. He’s willing to do any role we ask him to play. That’s a great example for all of us that we can learn from.”
“I know his teammates have a lot of respect for him and his body of work in this league and what he does for his team, certainly his coaching staff does as well.”
“He’s part of the leadership group of this team. Obviously, we are thrilled he got a couple of goals for us tonight.”
“It doesn’t matter what he’s doing up and down the lineup, he’s a huge player for us,” said goalie Tristan Jarry. “You see how many big games he’s had for us over the years. I think he’s been a great player. He’s had a great career. He should be a Hall of Famer.”
Break through
After 37 scoreless chances the Pens power play busted through with a power play goal early in the first period and Carter said it set the tone for the game. He said what you saw was a product of that extra man goal just 1:12 into the game.
“There has been a lot of talk about it in the units,” Carter said. “A lot of practice time. I think the big thing tonight, if you look at it, we were simplifying and shooting pucks. When things aren’t going your way, you tend to force plays. If you simplify and you shoot and go to the net, good things happen.”
“As I said to you guys all along, the care factor is high with these guys,” Sullivan said. “It means a lot to them. They understand the responsibility they have with the power play. To see these guys get rewarded tonight, for me is terrific.”
“I know how hard they are working at it and hopefully it will give us something to build on. I’m sure it will be a big relief for them. It should give us a little bit of confidence. Hopefully we won’t be squeezing our sticks quite as hard.”
It was the Pens first win of the month and third since Thanksgiving, they do have points in six of the last eight games.
“There’s been a lot of talk about our power play and play of late and not winning games,” Carter said. “You look at the standings, we are still right there. You look at the big picture, just stick with it. We got a lot of hockey left.”
Special scoring
All of the first five goals were scored by special teams.
· Jake Guenztel scored the Pens’ first power play goal in over a month early in the first period off assists from Sidney Crosby and Valtteri Puustinen
· Lawson Crouse scored the first of two straight Coyotes power play goals at 10:20 of the first period with former Penguins forward Jason Zucker with the primary assist.
· Matias Maccelli with his fifth goal at the 15:24 mark, this time Crouse with the assist along with another former Penguins forward Nick Bjugstad
· Jeff Carter sprung free by a Drew O’Connor pass short-handed to tie the game up at 16:54.
It is Carter’s 20th career short-handed goal, that moves him out of a tie with Hall of Famers Bryan Trottier, Bobby Hull, Marcel Dionne, Adam Graves, among others and now into a tie with Brett Hull, Paul Coffey, Denis Savard, Alexander Mogilny for 75th on the all-time short-handed list. Carter has some work to do to catch Wayne Gretzky’s NHL all-time lead with 73 short-handed goals.
· Carter scored a power play goal off the tip of a Kris Letang shot for his 122nd career power-play goal. That is 110th all-time and tied with Tomas Holmstrom, Greg Adams and Frank Mahovlich.
Related
Guentzel rounded out the scoring poking the puck in while on his belly for a, while not technically a special teams goal, it was an empty-netter at 1:13 as the Coyotes pulled the goalie.
Up Next
Pens are at Montreal on Wednesday night at 7p and then at Toronto on Saturday, also at 7p