When GM Ray Shero made his blockbuster deals around the trade deadline last season, Jussi Jokinen looked merely like insurance if Sidney Crosby couldn’t return for the playoffs. Carolina traded Jokinen for a conditional draft pick and agreed to pick up most of his salary in the process.
Bad move.
Jokinen’s second career hat trick vaulted the Penguins over the Hurricanes, Tuesday night, en route to a 5-2 victory. Paul Martin and Tanner Glass each added their first of the season.
While on the power play, Crosby found Jokinen in front of the net. The puck went off of Jokinen’s skate before a sharp backhander beat goaltender Cam Ward 14:17 into the first period.
Martin scored just over one minute into the second frame, backhanding a rebound off the backboards after Brooks Orpik’s slapshot went wide.
The Hurricanes stormed back to tie the game off a highlight goal by Eric Staal and Nathan Gerbe’s second tally of the season early in the third period.
The Penguins reclaimed the lead two minutes later on Jokinen’s second goal of the night. Evgeni Malkin found the Finnish winger in the slot and Jokinen’s wrist shot beat Ward on the glove side.
After an unbelievable stand by Ward, who literally stood on his head to make several saves, Glass found the puck buried a backhand shot into a wide open cage.
With the Penguins on the power play late in the game, Jokinen’s long-range wrist shot went over Ward’s left shoulder bringing a shower of hats.
Marc-Andre Fleury was solid stopping 32 of 34 shots. He had no chance of stopping the first goal as Staal deflect the puck while sliding on the ice. The defense held firm for most of the game as the Penguins skated away with their third win in as many games.
- The Penguins went 2 of 3 on the power play while holding the Hurricanes off the scoresheet in four opportunities.
- Olli Maatta record his first two career assists.
- The Penguins won 44 of 71 face of attempts.
Three Stars
- Jussi Jokinen
- Olli Maatta
- Tanner Glass
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
