The Penguins might have played their worst 20 minutes of the season in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Consol Energy Center on Wednesday.
Despite entering the middle frame with a 2-1 lead, the Penguins were outshot 13-1, gave Montreal three power plays, and gave up goals to Brendan Gallagher and Brian Flynn. With the Habs up 3-2 at the end of the second and the Penguins without a comeback when trailing after two in 22 months, the outlook looked bleak.
The Penguins dug in though, and got a third period goal from Patric Hornqvist to tie the game in regulation and Marc-Andre Fleury was perfect in the shootout to earn a come-from-behind 4-3 victory.
Fleury was outstanding for large stretches of the game, making 32 saves to earn his ninth win of the season. In the first period, he had to briefly leave the game for some stitches under his left eye when he was inadvertently high-sticked by teammate Ben Lovejoy. Jeff Zatkoff came in and made three saves in his stead.
Pascal Dupuis got the Penguins on the board just 13 seconds into the first period, beating rookie Mike Condon on a tap-in from Crosby. Andre Markov’s shot from the point tied the game at 4:12 of the opening frame. With just 42 seconds left in the period, Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta passed to Phil Kessel and drove to the net. Kessel’s shot hit Maatta on the way in and deflected past Condon to give the Pens the lead.
The Penguins power play went 0-for-4 despite firing seven shots on Condon, who still has not lost in regulation in relief of the injured Carey Price. Each team had two shots in the three-on-three overtime, including a power play for the Pens when Montreal was guilty of too many men on the ice.
The Penguins are off until Friday, when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7 p.m.
Photo credit: NHLI/Getty Images
