Fresh off waivers, Colton Sceviour scored two quick goals as the Pittsburgh Penguins cruised to a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night.
Bryan Rust added a controversial goal, and Jake Guentzel scored twice late in the game to help the Penguins secure their third straight win and improve to 9-2-1 in their last 12 games. Tristan Jarry was stellar in goal, making 28 saves.
Guentzel praised Sceviour for his contributions, emphasizing his work ethic and positive attitude.
“He’s a guy who shows up daily with a smile and puts in the effort,” Guentzel said. “It’s great to see someone like that get rewarded. He’s scored three big goals for us in these last two games, and we’re lucky to have him.”
Miles Wood and P.K. Subban scored for the Devils, who have struggled with a 1-4-2 record over their last seven games. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 19 shots, but New Jersey dropped to 4-15-3 at home.
Sceviour, placed on waivers earlier in the day, opened the scoring just 5:26 into the game. He picked up a rebound behind the net and tucked it in at 2:35. His second goal came on a tip after a questionable non-icing call benefited Pittsburgh.
Unfazed by being waived, Sceviour was focused on contributing to the team.
“I’ve been through this before. It doesn’t bother me,” Sceviour said. “I was pretty sure I’d clear waivers and just focused on getting ready for today’s game.”
The game featured several questionable officiating calls, with the most significant coming late in the second period. After Wood brought the Devils within one goal in the first period, New Jersey dominated the second, outshooting Pittsburgh 14-6.
However, the Penguins surged late in the period, and Rust scored his 17th goal on a shot from the slot, with Guentzel providing a screen in front of Blackwood. Devils coach Lindy Ruff challenged the goal, arguing that Sidney Crosby had pushed defenseman Ty Smith into Blackwood, interfering with the goaltender.
Replays showed contact between Smith and Blackwood, but the goal stood. Guentzel scored on the ensuing power play early in the third period and added an empty-netter late in the game.
Ruff defended his decision to challenge the goal.
“I thought Ty Smith was pushed into our goalie, which prevented Blackie from making the save,” Ruff explained. “It spun Blackie around, and he couldn’t make a quality attempt to stop the puck. I felt the challenge was the right move, even though you don’t win them all.”
TRADE DEADLINE PREPARATIONS
The Devils held out veteran defenseman Dmitry Kulikov in anticipation of a potential trade before Monday’s deadline. Earlier in the day, New Jersey acquired defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick.
Game Notes
- Devils RW Marian Studenic made his NHL debut.
- Penguins F Teddy Blueger returned after missing 13 games.
- Devils C Pavel Zacha left the game early in the second period, with no update on his condition provided after the game.
- Penguins D Brian Dumoulin earned an assist on Rust’s goal, extending his career-high point streak to five games.
- Penguins F Evgeni Malkin, who missed his 13th straight game, has been skating and is nearing a return.
Up Next
- Penguins: After three days off, Pittsburgh will host the Flyers on Thursday, following a 4-2 record on their six-game road trip.
- Devils: New Jersey will begin a four-game home series against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
