PITTSBURGH — Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry scooped the puck with time winding down in the second period and flicked it, dangerously, through the center of the ice.
An audible gasp swept through PPG Paints Arena. Surely many felt flashbacks to last postseason when an eerily similar stickhandling blunder cost Pittsburgh.
But that brief mishap? It was an outlier on Sunday during game in which the Penguins No. 1 netminder stood tall against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Eastern Conference’s leader in the standings.
Jarry, who has enjoyed a number of redemptive moments during this All-Star season, stopped 41 of the 43 shots he faced as the Penguins beat the Hurricanes, 4-2.
In a number of ways, Sunday’s matinee was a measuring stick game. After losing twice to the Canes already this year – once in regulation and once in overtime – winger Zach Aston-Reese said players were “[ticked] off” about the results.
“At this point, it's kind of beyond X's and O's,” he said. “It just comes down to compete and will."
Against a team the Penguins very easily could see in the playoffs, the Penguins were out-shot 43-23 and didn’t always look crisp. (Who does against the Canes?). However, they dug in to show many of the elements necessary for postseason success.
A team that’s been searching for depth scoring got it from much-needed places. Fourth-line winger Brian Boyle opened the scoring with a signature shift. Danton Heinen capitalized in the second period, adding some scoring punch to the second line. Sidney Crosby and Aston-Reese tacked on empty-net goals.
But Jarry’s difference-making effort is the element that could have the longest shelf life. During these type of low-scoring, tight-checking games when goals are hard to come by and one save can be the difference, Jarry made several. He didn’t necessarily steal the game. But he sure came close.
At the same time, while the game was an opportunity to see how the Penguins stacked up against a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, it was simultaneously a chance for internal competitions on the roster to play out.
The stage is being set for several position battles, as the roster gets healthier. Defenseman Mark Friedman and Boyle are two of the players nearing the roster’s fringe. Both made an impact in the first period. Early on, Friedman joined the rush to create a Grade-A chance from the slot. He then drew two separate penalties in the first period alone.
Boyle, meanwhile, has been bumped from center to wing on the fourth line. He proved his worth with a shift that sums up his entire game.
The 6-foot-6, 245-pound forward – affectionately called a “giant” on multiple occasions by teammates – bulldozed Teuvo Teräväinen to create a loose puck and then flashed to the front of the net. From below the goal line, Teddy Blueger found Boyle in front.
Evan Rodrigues, another player fighting for a more prominent role, nearly extended the Penguins lead to 2-0 in the second period. Skating on Evgeni Malkin’s wing and trying to stick there, Rodrigues attempted to stuff the puck into the net on a wraparound. After review, the official didn’t see enough evidence to overturn the call.
Malkin’s line would cash in after all later in the period. Defenseman Mike Matheson, who skated alongside Kris Letang in a top pairing overflowing with offensive upside, ripped a point shot on net. Malkin’s left winger, Heinen, redirected it for his 13th goal of the season.
The Hurricanes closed the gap to one goal with 15:20 left in the third period. Brett Pesce ripped a shot from the top of the circles that beat Jarry on his glove side. The netminder may have been partially screened by Friedman, who was going down in an attempt to block the shot. Pittsburgh-area native Vincent Trocheck earned the primary assist.
Crosby appeared to ice the game with an empty netter. But Carolina’s Sebastian Aho tacked on a goal with 1:25 left to create some tense final moments. Finally, Aston-Reese added an empty netter to seal it for good.
The Penguins are back in action on Tuesday in Nashville, as they kick off a three-game road trip that extends through St. Louis and Arizona.
