Erik Karlsson’s goal 49 seconds into overtime secured a 3-2 victory for the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Vegas Golden Knights at PPG Paints Arena. This marked Karlsson’s ninth goal of the season, achieved with a wrist shot from the right face-off circle.
Noah Hanifin had tied the game for Vegas with only seven seconds remaining in regulation, thanks to a one-timer set up by Mark Stone. Despite this late equalizer, Karlsson felt confident about his team’s chances. “Even though they came back, it still felt like we were in it,” he stated.
Sidney Crosby contributed significantly to Pittsburgh’s win by scoring twice for the second consecutive game. Rickard Rakell assisted on both of Crosby’s goals. The Penguins have now won two games in a row after previously enduring four consecutive losses. Tristan Jarry played a crucial role with 35 saves.
For the Golden Knights, Hanifin also recorded an assist while Pavel Dorofeyev added both a goal and an assist. However, Vegas has now lost two straight games following four consecutive victories. Ilya Samsonov made 14 saves during the match.
Hanifin acknowledged their opportunities despite not capitalizing fully: “We had a lot of looks in the third period,” he said. Jack Eichel provided an assist that allowed him to tie William Karlsson’s record for points in a season for Vegas at 78.
Crosby scored his first goal on a power play late in the first period and added another early in the second period, bringing his season total to 23 goals. He reflected on his performance saying, “I think, just as a line, we were creating some chances.”
Dorofeyev narrowed Pittsburgh’s lead with his own power-play goal midway through the second period before Kolyachonok nearly extended it again just before intermission but hit iron instead.
The third period saw intense pressure from Vegas who outshot Pittsburgh significantly yet failed to convert most opportunities into goals until Hanifin finally succeeded near time expiry forcing overtime where Karlsson ultimately clinched victory swiftly thereafter.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan praised Jarry post-game: “Obviously he was difference tonight…he has that ability.” Meanwhile notable absences included Ryan Shea (upper-body injury) and Tommy Novak (lower-body injury).
