The Pittsburgh Penguins had to play extra hockey for the second game in three nights. After blowing a 2-0 first-period lead, they watched Sebastian Aho give the Carolina Hurricanes a 4-3 overtime victory.
Despite keeping the game close, especially tying it up at 3-3 in the third period, the Penguins had only five shots in each of the first two periods before collecting nine in the third. Meanwhile, the visitors never had a chance in overtime as Carolina controlled play from the opening face-off.
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. The extra point puts Pittsburgh in the second wildcard spot as the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets, the Penguins’ next opponent, are idle until Tuesday.
Unusual Suspects Light the Lamp
After being a healthy scratch for nine games, Kevin Hayes returned to the lineup on Friday against the Florida Panthers, and on Sunday evening, he scored his fifth of the year to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead.
In the third, while the Penguins trailed 3-2, defenseman Erik Karlsson, who set up Michael Bunting’s goal in the first, fired home his fourth goal of the year at 1:51.
Although several Pittsburgh skaters, such as Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Matt Grzelcyk, had assists in the loss, Bunting was the only player to score on Sunday who usually scores.
Second Period Troubles
The Penguins started 2025 on the road, losing to the reigning Stanley Cup champions on Friday. In that contest, they recorded 13 shots in the first, four in the second, 11 in the third, and three in the overtime.
Since returning from their Christmas break, the Penguins have collected 40 first-period shots, 48 in the second, and 50 in the third. However, these statistics are skewed since the club fired off 20 in the second against the New York Islanders on Dec. 29.
Their goal totals are five in the first, four in the second, and four in the third. Meanwhile, opponents are racking up the goals in each period, with two in the first, eight in the second, and seven in the third.
Whether holding the lead or maintaining a tie, the Penguins are minus-4 in the second and minus-3 in the third.
Moreover, opponents, including the Hurricanes, who had 13 second-period shots on Sunday, are controlling the play against Pittsburgh, who have been outshot 63-48 in the middle periods since Christmas.
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