In four of the last five games, the Pittsburgh Penguins have struggled mightily to score more than one goal. As a result, the Penguins have had a tough time winning games.
Who knew Brian Gibbons would be the catalyst to get the Penguins off the schnide?
Gibbons, playing in his first career NHL game, scored and registered an assist in what became an offensive explosion early in the third period as the Penguins defeated the Anaheim Ducks, 3-1 on Monday.
Both teams took a scoreless tie into the third period. The Ducks dominated the Penguins in the first period, holding Pittsburgh without a shot until the 1:51 mark of the period. The Penguins marched back with a strong second period but couldn’t capitalize.
Then, in the third period, the levy broke for goaltender Viktor Fasth and the Anaheim Ducks.
Evgeni Malkin gathered the puck behind the Anaheim net, skated around the outside of the offensive zone and came all the way around to the other side of the net before backhanding a perfect pass to Gibbons who was positioned right in the middle of the slot. Gibbons wasted no time snapping the puck past Fasth to give Pittsburgh the 1-0 lead.
Just over a minute later, Brandon Sutter added his fourth goal of the season. Olli Maatta took a shot from the left point and Brandon Sutter, acting as a screen on Fasth, tipped the puck past the goaltender’s blocker side. Brian Gibbons earned a second assist on the play.
Ryan Getzlaf came back and scored on the next shift, cutting the Pittsburgh lead to one. Getzlaf was all alone in front of the net and former Penguins Ben Lovejoy found him from the far boards.
The Penguins regained their two goal lead when Sidney Crosby’s wrist shot found its way through traffic and in the back of the net.
- The four goals were scored within four minutes and four seconds of the third period.
- Despite having just three goals on the season, Evgeni Malkin is fourth in the league with 17 assists.
Three Stars
- Brian Gibbons
- Marc-Andre Fleury
- Ryan Getzlaf
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
