PITTSBURGH (AP) – Brian Rust scored 1:31 into overtime and the Pittsburgh Penguins avoided another late collapse with a 5-4 victory over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.
The Penguins took a three-goal lead into the third period, with Florida’s Sam Bennett, Adam Boqvist and Matthew Tkachuk scoring in the final 4:32 to pull the Panthers within four points.
However, Rust parried Spencer Knight’s wrist shot from the right and scored his eighth goal of the season, extending Pittsburgh’s winning streak to four.
Rookie defenseman Owen Pickering scored his first career goal for the Penguins, while Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Marcus Pettersson also scored for Pittsburgh. Tristan Jarry made 37 saves on a night where the Penguins were mostly glued to their own territory.
Tkahak scored twice for Florida, but the Panthers’ winning streak ended at three as Knight took 16 shots and stopped just 11.
takeout
Panthers: Florida dominated everything except the scoreboard. The Panthers would have had smooth sailing if not for Knight’s erratic performance, which was his first shutout of the season.
Penguins: Pickering, 20, has held his own since making his NHL debut on Nov. 16. His first goal, a shot from the net that weaved through traffic, should give him even more confidence.
important moment
The last-minute winner breathed life into the Penguins. It’s been a rocky start to the past two months for Pittsburgh, which has a habit of blowing multi-goal leads. Not this time.
Main status
The Penguins have won the last five home games against the Panthers that went into overtime.
to the next
The Panthers will play the Flyers on Thursday, and the Penguins will play the Rangers on Friday.
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