PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Without a regulation win in Boston since October 2013, the Pens continued their roll with a 4-1 victory over the Bruins.
“That’s one of those streaks everyone is aware of,” said forward Jason Zucker. “Something that we have been harping on for a while. It was a huge win for us. Huge to get that monkey off our backs.”
“It was definitely a topic of discussion coming into tonight’s game,” said defenseman Mike Matheson. “We were joking around a little bit about how many guys on this team that played some college hockey in this building. Trying to recapture some of that success we had in college and bring it to tonight’s game.”
“It’s nice to get a win here,” said head coach Mike Sullivan. “This is not an easy building to play in. This is a real good team and has been for a number of years.”
“It was definitely something we talked about,” said forward Zach Aston-Reese. “I know Tanger went with the mustache. I didn’t really see his suit, but I guess he wore a pretty flashy suit. I know a lot of guys changed things up and got coffee at different spots. Definitely we were trying to do everything we could to snap that streak.”
ZAR ties career-high
After a backcheck by Brandon Tanev, in his first game back from injury, he got the puck to Freddy Gaudreau in the first period. Tanev gets the puck back and a perfect pass across the ice to Zach Aston-Reese for the opening goal. His eighth of the season, tying his career-high.
“I just remember jumping on the ice,” said Aston-Reese. “It was a quick-up play. They got caught in a line change. I saw that there was a lane to the net. I knew if the puck was going to get through I would have a pretty good chance of putting it in an empty net. Sure enough, once it got through my eyes kind of lit up and I knew I was going to score. It was just a great play all-around by Freddy and Tans and Petey to get the puck up off the start.”
Matheson first goal since March 2
In his first year as a Pens defenseman, Matheson takes the puck away in the second period, gets it to Anthony Angello along the boards, who gives it back to Matheson. The smooth-skating defenseman streaks up the ice beating the entire Boston team to the front of the net, showing backhand and then back to forehand to a spectacular goal to make it 2-0.
“Ang made a great play to me into the middle and as I got the puck, I took a look up and saw there was some open ice,” Matheson said. “Felt like after a couple of steps I was gaining some speed and able to get bye them. I just tried to beat them to the second post and it ended up opening up.”
Zucker first since return
Bruins clearing the zone after cutting the lead to 2-1, a hit by Evan Rodrigues caused a turnover gathered by Marcus Pettersson, back to Rodrigues who entered the zone and made a sweet backhand pass to Jason Zucker. Just back from injury, Zucker squared his body to put it in an open net, 3-1.
“It was a heck of a play by Marcus to step up at the red line and and even better play by Evan Rodrigues to give me that pass,” Zucker said. “At that point it was just getting the puck on net. A big goal at that point of the game.”
Jake Guentzel would add an empty netter, the frosting on the cake or maybe better said, the milkshake to end the game.
Casey DeSmith stopped 30 shots for his ninth win. In his last eight games, DeSmith allowed eight goals. That’s 215 saves over that span.
“It’s an overall complete game,” Sullivan said. “Our attack was really strong whether it was with the puck or without the puck.”
“They’re playing hard. They’re trying to play the game the right way. I thought it was a team effort throughout the lineup. We were getting contributions from everyone. When that happens I think it increases our chances to win.”
Up Next
Afternoon game in Boston on Saturday starting at 1p.