The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Nashville Predators on Sunday by a score of 3-2. This was Pittsburgh’s first win in their last five games.

Sidney Crosby came through with a huge performance for the Penguins as he scored two goals and had an assist. The second of the Crosby goals came in overtime to win the game for Pittsburgh. The other Penguins’ goal came from Jason Zucker as he picked up his first goal after coming back from injury on the 31st of March. 

By scoring his second goal of the game, Sidney Crosby recorded his 1,400 point in the NHL, putting him 22nd on the all-time point list. 

Rickard Rakell also had a huge game as he assisted every one of Pittsburgh’s goals giving him three points on the day. Rakell has 8 points in 11 games as a Penguin since being acquired from the Anaheim Ducks. With players like Kasperi Kapanen and Evan Rodrigues underperforming, Rakell has provided much needed production.

Casey DeSmith was in net for the Penguins on Sunday, and he came to play. DeSmith saved 33 of the 35 shots he faced and helped lead the Pens to the win. Pittsburgh needed DeSmith to step up, and that’s exactly what he did.

Tristan Jarry has struggled in his recent performances as he has lost his last five games. In those five losses, Jarry has put up a .882 save percentage. For comparison, Jarry has a .919 save percentage on the season.

After the win, the Penguins added to their lead for third place in the division as they moved 4 points ahead of the Washington Capitals and 6 points behind the New York Rangers. With just eight games remaining in the season, Pittsburgh will look to hold on to that third place spot in order to play the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. 

Pittsburgh will travel to New York on Tuesday to take on the Islanders. The Islanders have struggled as they currently sit 15 points out of a playoff spot, though they have won five of their last seven games.