The Penguins are 7-1-1 in their last nine games and with last night’s 3-1 win over the Islanders, ended 2023 on a three-game winning streak.
Lars Eller scored two goals and Noel Acciari scored one while Alex Nedeljkovic made 37 saves as the Penguins pulled into a three-way tie with the Capitals and Devils for fifth place in the Metro Division. They are just four points out of second place in the division and trail the Lightning by one point for the eighth Wild Card slot.
Coach Mike Sullivan says the team’s bottom six forwards led the Pens to the two weekend wins over the Blues and Islanders.
Sullivan says others might call the Penguins’ recent play gritty or ugly, but he thinks it’s “beautiful” hockey.
Sullivan says the outstanding play of goaltenders Nedeljkovic and Tristan Jarry is augmented by the strong defensive efforts of their teammates.
Lars Eller says the bottom six forwards are proving the Penguins have solid depth.
Eller says the Penguins are finally starting to play the way they expect to play.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby left the game in the second period after being hit in the face by the stick of the Islanders’ Mathew Barzal. Crosby missed about eight minutes and then returned to action with an abrasion under his left eye.
The Penguins host the Capitals tomorrow, then play the Bruins in Boston on Thursday.
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