The Penguins are back in first place in the NHL’s Metropolitan Division after slipping by Dallas last night, 3-1 at PPG Paints Arena.
The Penguins scored two goals in the first period and stymied the Stars offense on their way to a 3-1 win in Pittsburgh. Patric Hornqvist and former Stars’ defenseman Jamie Oleksiak lit the lamp in the first for the Pens and Evgeni Malkin added an empty-netter in the final minute of regulation.
Pens’ Coach Mike Sullivan says it may have been their most complete game of the season. Goaltender Casey DeSmith only faced 18 shots, turning away 17 of them. Penguins skaters blocked 15 shots before they got to DeSmith. The Star’ lone goal came on a two-man advantage in the second period.
Goaltender Matt Murray took shots yesterday morning in a workout and winger Bryan Rust skated and shot the puck. Both are recovering from concussions. There is no timetable for their return to game action.
The Penguins are off until Wednesday when they head to New York to take on the Rangers. The Rangers are in last place in the Metro. Washington can leapfrog the Pens in the standings if they beat Winnipeg on home ice tonight.
