After a poor showing in Minnesota the night before, Dan Bylsma elected to sit many of his starters to give them a rest before the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Instead of a similar result from Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Wild, the remaining Penguins played a highly competitive, defensive game that led to their 50th win of the season. Playing without Sidney Crosby, Chris Kunitz, Brooks Orpik and Olli Maatta, the Pens defeated the Avalanche 3-2 in a shootout on Sunday night.
Brandon Sutter got the Pens out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of goals just four minutes apart in the second period. Sutter beat Semyon Varlamov with a wrist shot that beat the goaltender on the long side.
Sutter added his second goal with the Penguins on the power play. With Sutter placed in the slot, Jussi Jokinen sent a hard shot-pass that was deflected through the five-hole of Varlamov.
The Avs bounced back in the third period with two goals of their own.
Jamie McGinn centered a pass to Ryan O’Reilly who chipped the puck over Marc-Andre Fleury’s right shoulder from point-blank range. The goal came just 18 seconds into the period and jump started the Avalanche.
With just 3:13 remaining in the third period, Patrick Bordeleau tipped a shot from the point that was originally launched by Tyson Barrie.
After neither team managed to score in the overtime period, Jussi Jokinen scored the lone goal in the shootout to get the Penguins back on the winning track.
Three Stars
- Marc-Andre Fleury
- Semyon Varlamov
- Brandon Sutter
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
