Marc-Andre Fleury wanted to bounce back from a poor showing on Wednesday night when he was pulled after letting up three goals in just over one full period of play.
How about a shutout?
Fleury stonewalled the Tampa Bay Lightning, stopping all 21 shots while the Penguins score three goals, including two in the final period to win 3-0 Friday night.
Chris Kunitz scored his twelfth goal of the season less than seven minutes into the game. Kunitz went cross-ice to Sidney Crosby while Pascal Dupuis drove to the net. Crosby returned the pass to Kunitz who ripped a shot past goaltender Ben Bishop.
The Penguins preserved the 1-0 lead through the second period thanks to Marc-Andre Fleury. Nikita Kucherov received a pass in the neutral zone and split the defense for a breakaway but was denied. Then, in the final seconds of the second, Richard Panik had a great chance in front of the net but Fleury closed up the five hole before the puck could find its way through.
Pittsburgh extended their lead 8:27 into the third period. Brandon Sutter corralled a loose puck and went behind the Tampa Bay net. In an attempt to send a pass out to the slot, the puck deflected off of defenseman Victor Hedman and in the net.
The Lightning pulled their goaltender late in the game, Kunitz added his second of the game off of assists by Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.
- This was Marc-Andre Fleury’s third career shutout after being pulled in the previous game.
- The Penguins are 12-1 in their last 13 afternoon games.
- Crosby’s second assist of the game marked his 700th career point. He is the youngest active player to reach 700 points.
- Marc-Andre Fleury
- JT Brown
- Brandon Sutter
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
