After a rough couple of weeks to begin the season, the Penguins are slowly getting themselves back on track to where they want to be.
The Penguins have won their last four games, three of which were on the road in California.
The Pens faced off against the LA Kings on Thursday night in Los Angeles. The Pens were without starting goalie Tristan Jarry due to an injury he sustained in Anaheim two nights prior. Pittsburgh had to rely on minor league call-up Magnus Hellberg to keep the net secure.
The Penguins took the lead less than halfway through the first period when captain Sidney Crosby scored backhanded on the wrap-around. About seven minutes later, the Kings got it right back with a goal from forward Carl Grundstrom.
Kings forward Adrian Kempe scored 9:58 into the second period to place his team 2-1. Late in the period, the Penguins tied it up on a shorthanded goal from Lars Eller. After losing the faceoff in the neutral zone, Eller stripped the puck from Kings forward Kevin Fiala and took it into the zone to beat Kings goalie Phoenix Copley.
Early into the third period, the Penguins once again took the lead on a goal tipped in by forward Jake Guentzel. About six minutes later, Fiala tied it up again for the Kings and the game went into overtime, the Penguins’ first overtime of the season.
With 1:37 left in the overtime frame, Bryan Rust seemingly scored the game winner, but it was called back due to Rust being offside. Fortunately, Rust came right back out to score a wrap-around goal, securing the 4-3 overtime win for the Pens.
Returning home from their three game road trip out in California, the Penguins played against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night. Tristan Jarry made his return to the crease and had an impressive showing all night.
Late in the first period, Evgeni Malkin got the Penguins on the board with an incredible goal, shooting the puck backhanded from the corner, only for it to deflect off of the back of Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Forward Drew O’Connor scored his first goal of the season at 3:36 in the second period to extend the Penguins lead to 2-0.
Defenseman Erik Karlsson secured the game for the Penguins in the third period with two goals. The first goal came on the power play 27 seconds into the third period as it deflected off of Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson.
Karlsson’s second was an empty netter which came on a pass from Guentzel, who previously hit the post on the empty net.
The 4-0 victory was Tristan Jarry’s third shutout of the season, which is the league lead among goaltenders.
The Penguins are slowly working their way back up the standings in the Metropolitan Division, sitting at sixth place with 14 points.
The Penguins will play two Metro Division opponents, as they travel to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets on Tuesday, and take on the New Jersey Devils at home on Thursday.
