Toronto may have brought the snow, but the Penguins created the heat as they beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Blake Comeau scored a hat trick for the home team, including the game-winning goal in overtime.
“I passed up to [Kris Letang] and he did a good job of giving it back and going down the middle,” said Comeau on the overtime goal. “I had some space up top and I tried to white-out the guy that was in front of me. I shot the puck and I saw [Sidney Crosby‘s] stick there and I wasn’t sure if he got it or not, but he says he didn’t, so I’ll take it.”
The hat trick was the second of Comeau’s career. Crosby earned an assist on the goal, giving him 800 career points.
“I’m getting the opportunity to play with some really good players,” Comeau said. “It feels good to be able to contribute offensively [on] Sid’s 800th point tonight so its pretty cool that I could’ve been a part of that.”
“It wasn’t easy [Wednesday night],” Crosby said. “It was kinda ugly out there for a bit we just put our heads down and kept working and found a way to get a win.”
The Penguins got started on the right skate and scored just 26 seconds into the first period. They also scored within the first few minutes of Monday’s game against the Bruins, making this the second game in a row that they scored on their first shot. Blake Comeau scored the first goal of the night with assists from Malkin and Christian Ehrhoff.
“It’s good to see other guys on the score sheet and Comeau has been really good for us all season.” said Ehrhoff on Comeau’s performance.
The Penguins got their first power play of the night when David Clarkson was sent to the box for holding 11:11 into the first period. Evgeni Malkin, who had taken a penalty himself earlier in the period, unleashed a cannon from the point and scored during the power play. His goal was assisted by Crosby and Letang. Malkin now has seven power play goals on the season.
Toronto dominated the second period. A goal from Leo Komarov made it 2-1 Pens with 11:49 left in the period. Just 2:37 later, the Leafs tied it up yet another Komarov goal, this one on a deflection that went right past Fleury.
The Leafs did not celebrate for long when Comeau scored his second goal of the night with 6:41 left in the period. Chris Kunitz and Malkin assisted him on the goal. Malkin was involved in the first three goals of the night, with two assists and one goal of his own.
Toronto then answered with their third goal of the period when Tyler Bozak scored an unassisted shorthanded with 3:39 remaining in the period, creating a tie once again. A scoreless third led to Comeau’s overtime heroics.
