After getting trounced 5-1 against the Florida Panthers Monday night, the Penguins came back with a big victory of their own, defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-1 on Wednesday.
Jussi Jokinen scored twice and Evgeni Malkin notched two points as the Penguins crushed the Habs.
Jokinen and Malkin teamed up on the first goal 8:48 into the first period. Malkin kept the puck in the offensive zone then took off for the net. Instead of shooting, he dished a backhand pass to Jokinen who scored on a wide open net as goaltender Carey Price dove in a desperate attempt to make a save.
Taylor Pyatt added his second goal of the season, tipping in a slapshot from Matt Niskanen with the Penguins on the power play.
The Canadiens came back just over a minute later to cut the Pittsburgh lead to one with a goal by Rene Bourque.
The Penguins wouldn’t let the Candiens get any further. Jokinen scored 5:46 into the second period to extend the lead back to two. The Finnish olympian buried a cross-ice pass by Olli Maatta -his olympic teammate- from the right-wing circle.
With the Penguins on the power play midway through the second period, Kris Letang’s slap-pass was tipped into the net by Sidney Crosby who was posted to the right of the net.
Evgeni Malkin capped off the scoring with a highlight goal of his own. Malkin took the puck in the neutral zone, skated around both defenseman and tried to stuff the puck past Price. The shot was stopped but Malkin collected his own rebound and fired past the net minder for his 13th goal of the year.
The Penguins were involved in a scuffle with the Canadiens that almost resulted in a goalie fight between Marc-Andre Fleury and Petr Budaj.
- The Habs have given up four or more goals in eight of their last eleven games.
- Jussi Jokinen has six goals in eight games in the month of January.
- Twelve different players had points for the Penguins.
Three Stars
- Evgeni Malkin
- Jussi Jokinen
- Matt Niskanen
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
