After laying an egg in the last game of 2013, the Penguins kicked off the new year by cruising to a 5-2 victory over the New York Rangers, Friday night.
With Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang still ailing, the Penguins relied on Chris Kunitz, Sidney Crosby, and oddly enough, Jussi Jokinen.
Jokinen moved off the second line center role to Brandon Sutter’s wing and instantly paid dividends with two goals.
Chris Kunitz got the Penguins started with a power play goal 13:09 into the first period. Matt Niskanen wristed a puck from the point to Sidney Crosby who kicked the puck to Kunitz for the wide open shot.
Jokinen scored his first goal in fifteen games with under two minutes remaining in the period to extend Pittsburgh’s lead. Joe Vitale cycled the puck behind the net to Brian Gibbons who found Jokinen at the doorstep. Jokinen dipped his shoulder and lifted the puck over Henrik Lundqvist.
Jokinen scored again, just 1:09 into the second period, with a backhand shot that deflected off of Ryan McDonagh’s nose and into the net. The play was setup by Gibbons who used his speed to get around the defense before sending a backhanded pass to Jokinen in the middle of the slot.
Sidney Crosby added his 23rd of the season 18:29 into the second period. Chris Kunitz forced a turnover in the offensive zone and found Crosby who was all alone in the right wing circle. Crosby backhanded the puck off the right post and in the net.
The Rangers came back and scored twice in the third period to cut the Pens’ lead to 4-2. Mats Zuccarello picked a corner on on Marc-Andre Fleury, then assisted on Ryan McDonagh’s goal after shooting the puck towards the net. McDonagh deflected the puck past Fleury as he was cutting towards the net.
Kunitz came back just 1:01 after the Rangers’ second goal to erase any hope of a comeback. Crosby’s shot in front of the crease was knocked down but Lundqvist couldn’t control the rebound. Marc Staal fell on the puck which kicked it towards Kunitz who, once again, had a wide open net to shoot.
- Chris Kunitz is tied for tops with Alex Ovechkin for scoring the first goal in games in the league (10).
- Marc-Andre Fleury has won five straight vs the Rangers at home while Henrik Lundqvist has lost four straight at Consol Energy Center.
- The Penguins have not trailed at home since November 27th against Toronto.
Three Stars
- Chris Kunitz
- Jussi Jokinen
- Sidney Crosby
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
