Facing the reality of playing without wingman Jake Guentzel, Sidney Crosby took matters into his own hands last night, scoring two goals as the Penguins snapped their three-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Blackhawks in Chicago.
Crosby opened the scoring just 15 seconds into the game, and Reilly Smith also scored in the first period, after Drew O’Connor swiped a pass out of the air and led a 2-on-1 break into the Chicago end. The Blackhawks closed the gap with a goal in the second, but Crosby netted his 30th goal of the season 5:51 into the third period, stuffing the puck behind Chicago goaltender Arvid Soderblom from the right side of the crease to restore the two-goal edge. Bryan Rust later added a 190-foot empty netter to seal the game. Alex Nedeljkovic made 27 saves to earn the win in net.
Crosby’s first goal, 15 seconds into the game, was his ninth in the first 30 seconds of a game, the most all-time in the NHL. Bob Gainey and Crosby were the previous record holders. The goal was also Crosby’s 406th career even-strength goal, which passes Mario Lemieux for the franchise record.
The Penguins had only one power play in the game and did not score as the Blackhawks had the better of the chances. Coach Mike Sullivan tried a number of combinations to replace Guentzel, and said it’s virtually an open tryout to find the right mix. Last night, Lars Eller skated on the power play.
Guentzel was placed on long-term injured reserve and is expected to miss as many as four weeks with his undisclosed upper-body injury. The Penguins will play twelve games over the next four weeks. Before the game, Sullivan said Guentzel’s absence will open up some opportunities for other players.
The Pens recalled three forwards, Valtteri Puustinen, Vinnie Hinostroza, and Jonathan Gruden, to fill the roster spots of Guentzel, Noel Acciari, and Jansen Harkins, who are all on injured reserve.
The Penguins host the LA Kings on Sunday evening at 6 o’clock.
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