The Penguins got off to a flying start last night as they opened the season against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
Paul Steigerwald has the story.
Coach Mike Sullivan says the Penguins won by playing the style of hockey they need to play, by keeping the Lightning out of their defensive zone.
Penguins newcomer Danton Heinen, who came to Pittsburgh on a one-year free agent contract after playing for Anaheim last year, was not sorry that the Penguins spoiled the Lightning’s Stanley Cup banner-raising night.
Goaltender Tristan Jarry liked the way the Penguins defense played in front of him, especially after the Lightning pulled their goalie with six minutes still to play in the third period.
The Penguins outshot the Lightning, 35-29. Before the game, the Penguins signed 13-year NHL veteran Brian Boyle, who was out of hockey last season. He was in training camp on a tryout contract and made the team as the fourth-line center, scoring a goal in his Pens’ debut.
Defenseman Mike Matheson was sidelined by an undisclosed ailment, with Sullivan labeling him as “day-to-day”.
Transactions prior to last night’s game included Evgeni Malkin being placed on the long-term injured reserve list. He’s expected to miss the first two months of the season at least. Sidney Crosby was placed on the “injured non-roster” list. Zach Aston-Reese was placed on the covid-19 protocol list.
Forwards Drew O’Connor and Anthony Angello were recalled to the Penguins after being sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Monday.
The Penguins play the Florida Panthers tomorrow night at 7:00 on U92.
NHL
The expansion Seattle Kraken played their first game ever last night, losing to the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-3. Former Penguin Jared McCann scored one of the Seattle goals.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said yesterday that there are only four players in all of the NHL who are not vaccinated against covid-19. So are all of the officials and he said that all of the team employees who come into contact with the unvaccinated players are vaccinated themselves, implying that he’s talking about players on four different teams.
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