It took 83 shots, a third-string goaltender, and three overtimes, but the Penguins finally prevailed in the first game of their playoff series opener against the New York Rangers.
Paul Steigerwald has the story.
The Penguins fell behind, 2-0, in the second period, but Jake Guentzel scored twice in the period. Then after falling behind again on a short-handed goal, Bryan Rust scored on a 5-on-3 power play to make it 3-3 after two periods. The Pens also managed to get a third-period Rangers goal wiped off the scoreboard on a coach’s challenge for goaltender interference.
Casey DeSmith had to leave the game in the second overtime, reportedly with cramps in his legs, and Luis Domingue came off the bench to hold the Rangers off. DeSmith made 48 saves and Domingue 17. The Rangers were physically aggressive throughout the game, and the Penguins lost forward Rickard Rakell late in the first period after his head was slammed off the glass on a hard check by the Rangers’ Ryan Lindgren.
Game two of the series is tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden.
REACTIONS:
Coach Mike Sullivan says Domingue was outstanding for the Pens.
Sullivan says the Penguins were not intimidated by the Rangers’ physicality.
The coach says his many veterans have been through many playoff series before, and they led the way.
Sullivan says the top line of Sidney Crosby, Guentzel, and Rust was brilliant.
When DeSmith skated off the ice in the second overtime, it was Domingue’s turn to step up. He was told by the two referees that he was going in. He thought they were kidding.
Domingue made a save right after entering the game and says he settled in quickly.
Domingue says the Pens refused to back down.
Rust surprised to see DeSmith leave the game, but was confident in Domingue.
Rust says they knew the Rangers would come at them physically.
Rust says triple overtime is tough, but it helps if you win.
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