PENGUINS-STARS RECAP

MURRAY AND MCCANN OUTSHINE THE STARS, PENS EARN 3-2 VICTORY

1ST PERIOD

Matt Murray was very stout early on, keeping the puck out of the net on a few really good chances to prevent the game’s first goal.

The first penalty of the game was called on Dallas’ Alexander Radulov for slashing Nick Bjugstad with 5:26 left in the first frame.

Jake Guentzel would get the game’s first goal on the power-play with Anton Khudobin out of position. This was Jake’s 38th of the season. What a season Mr. Bake is having.

The period would come to an end with the Pens keeping their 1-0 lead in tact.

2ND PERIOD

Two minutes into the period, Alex Radulov found Tyler Seguin to tie the game at 1.

The Penguins thought they had scored the go-ahead goal, but the goal was waived off due to goalie interference from Teddy Blueger. The referees deemed the contact as incidental so no penalty was called on Blueger.

Seconds after the no-goal call, Kris Letang was called for tripping, giving the Stars their first power-play of the game. This penalty would be successfully killed off by the Pens.

With five minutes left in the period, Jared McCann capitalized on a Dallas turnover, and a sweet Phil Kessel pass, to get the Penguins up 2-1.

Andrew Cogliano tied the game at 2 after a 3-on-2 developed for the Stars. Not a good look for Marcus Pettersson on that play.

The period would end with both teams tied on the scoreboard at 2 goals apiece.

3RD PERIOD

Four minutes into the 3rd period, the Penguins were penalized after Jack Johnson was called for holding.

Shorty alert: Jared McCann would not remain silent on the scoresheet for long. After a beautiful spin-o-rama move, McCann gave the Pens the lead with a gnarly goal. The penalty would also be killed.

The Stars pulled Khudobin with 1:30 left in the game. Bryan Rust was called for holding with 1:20 left. Uh oh.

Time would expire and the Penguins were able to withstand the extra attackers to get out of Dallas with a hard-fought 3-2 victory.

FINAL THOUGHTS

• A win’s a win. The Penguins now have 41 of them on the season which is good for 93 points and tied for second in the division with the Islanders.
• Jake Guentzel’s countdown to 40 goals continues. With the way Guentzel is playing, it seems like it’s a matter of when, not if for the impressive winger.
• The rumors of Phil Kessel’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. The American Hero registered 2 assists tonight, with one of them coming on a slick McCann goal. Keep calm and carry on.
• Speaking of him, how about Jared McCann, folks. 2 goals tonight, 19 on the season. Yes we McCann.
• Matt Murray was outstanding as well. 29 saves on 31 shots for a .935 save percentage. Ride that hot hand for as long as you can.
• The Penguins will conclude this road trip with a game against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday.