The Penguins took on one of the NHL’s toughest Western Conference teams last night, but they came out strong and held off a big third period push to beat the Vancouver Canucks. Paul Steigerwald reports. (5-4 win.)
In addition to the two goals by Bryan Rust, the Penguins got goals from Blake Lizotte, who returned to the lineup from his concussion and opened the scoring, and from Rickard Rakell (his team-leading 8th of the season), and Kevin Hayes.
Coach Mike Sullivan says Rust and linemates Sidney Crosby and Rakell led the way for the Pens.
Sullivan says the Penguins need to rebuild their confidence after their recent struggles, and games like last night’s will help.
Bryan Rust said the Pens’ mindset was to relax and have fun.
Rust says the Penguins have to shrug off adversity.
Defenseman Owen Pickering missed the game due to illness. Philip Thomasino played his first game as a Penguin and skated 21 shifts with 18:05 of ice time. He had one shot on goal.
Forward Valterri Puustinen cleared waivers yesterday and was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
After playing the Bruins in Boston tomorrow night, the Pens come home to play Calgary on Saturday.
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