Pavel Datsyuk had a goal and an assist to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 2-1 victory over the Penguins in Pittsburgh Monday night. Mike Johnston’s squad was outmatched from the puck drop, as the Red Wings iced a squad composed mostly of regulars against many of the Penguins’ minor-leaugers.
Marc-Andre Fleury made 18 saves on 20 shots but took the tough-luck loss. Rookie Matt Murray played a scoreless third period in relief.
With 3:55 remaining in the second period, Datsyuk collected a loose puck in the right-wing circle and fired it past Penguins goaltender Fleury for a power play goal. It held up as the game-winner as goaltenders Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek shut the door for the Red Wings.
The Penguins penalty kill struggled all night with the skill and quickness of Detroit’s power play, and didn’t do themselves any favors by giving the Red Wings six power plays, including four in the first period.
That’s when Datsyuk opened the scoring by taking advantage of the Penguins penalty kill to find a wide-open Tomas Tatar in the slot. Tatar buried his shot over the Fleury’s blocker.
Beau Bennett was able to even the score for the Penguins in the middle of the first period. His wrist shot found a way around Anton Zlobin crashing the front of net and through Howard’s five-hole to tie the game.
The Penguins continued to mount offense, with 26 shots over the last two periods, but were unable to find the twine behind the Detroit netminders.
The Penguins pre-season continues in Columbus tomorrow night with a 7:00 p.m. puck drop against the Blue Jackets.
