Bryan Rust netted two goals, and Sidney Crosby contributed a goal and two assists, propelling the surging Pittsburgh Penguins to a 6-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Friday night.
Jared McCann, Brian Dumoulin, and Colton Sceviour also found the back of the net for the Penguins, who secured their second win in as many nights and improved their record to 8-2-1 in their last 11 games. Casey DeSmith made 25 saves, breaking his two-game losing streak.
“To win consistently, you need contributions from everyone, whether it’s goals or the little things that often go unnoticed,” Crosby said about the performance of Pittsburgh’s third and fourth lines. “Those little things add up to winning hockey games.”
Miles Wood scored twice, with Jack Hughes and Jesper Boqvist adding a goal each for the Devils, who broke a four-game winless streak by defeating Buffalo on Thursday. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 21 shots in the loss.
The Penguins took a commanding 5-2 lead midway through the third period with goals from Crosby and Rust but had to hold off a late surge from New Jersey, who capitalized on two Penguins’ errors to cut the deficit to one goal.
Rust sealed the game with an empty-net goal, capping off a night where 11 Penguins players registered points.
“That’s the mark of a good team,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. “To win consistently in this league, you need contributions across the lineup—scoring goals, playing solid defense, winning faceoffs, or blocking shots. All those little things combine to create success.”
Pittsburgh took the lead late in the second period when Sceviour ended a 26-game goal drought by knocking in a rebound past Blackwood.
“It’s always exciting to score in this league, especially after a long gap,” Sceviour said. “But more importantly, we won the game, which matters.”
Rust extended the lead to 4-2 with a power-play goal early in the third period, followed by Crosby’s 16th goal of the season, giving Pittsburgh a three-goal cushion.
Boqvist scored off a deflection from Chris Letang’s stick, and Dumoulin accidentally deflected a pass off DeSmith’s leg, which resulted in Wood’s second goal, bringing New Jersey within one goal.
“The Penguins know how to win,” Wood remarked. “Even when they’re not at their best, they find ways to get it done. Our bad games, on the other hand, are really tough to recover from.”
Hughes had tied the game at 2-2 earlier with a sharp-angle shot after DeSmith had made two initial saves.
Wood opened the scoring just over three minutes into the game, while McCann equalized on a power play, converting a rebound from Crosby’s shot. Dumoulin gave Pittsburgh the lead late in the first period with a shot that deflected off a Devils player.
Game Notes:
- The Devils did not air a pregame show on MSG Network as hosts Erika Wachter and Bryce Salvador entered COVID-19 protocol.
- Jesper Bratt has two goals and four assists in his last four games.
- Rust has recorded points in six consecutive games against New Jersey.
- Hughes has scored in two straight games after a 10-game goal drought.
Injury Update:
- Devils captain Nico Hischier is nearing a return after recovering from a facial injury sustained on February 28, which required surgery. He has resumed practicing.
- The Penguins continue to win despite several injuries. Forwards Evgeni Malkin, Teddy Blueger, Kasperi Kapanen, and Brandon Tanev are still out, but Blueger appears to be closest to returning.
Up Next:
- The Devils and Penguins will meet four more times in the next two weeks. They will play in New Jersey again on Sunday before heading to Pittsburgh for games on April 20, 22, and 24.
