Pittsburgh Review

Sidney Crosby netted his 599th NHL goal as the Pittsburgh Penguins overcame a three-goal lead loss to defeat the San Jose Sharks 4-3 in a shootout at PPG Paints Arena. Bryan Rust and Jesse Puljujarvi also contributed goals for the Penguins, who had been outscored 16-5 in their previous three games.

“We’ve been playing pretty good as of late, maybe haven’t gotten the results or bounces, tough calls here or there,” said Alex Nedeljkovic, who made 26 saves for Pittsburgh. “We stuck with it. I think that’s been a big point of emphasis lately. Just staying with it.”

The Sharks' Tyler Toffoli scored twice, while Mikael Granlund added another goal. Vitek Vanecek was replaced by Mackenzie Blackwood after allowing two goals on ten shots in the first period. Blackwood made 25 saves in relief but an update on Vanecek's condition was not provided.

“It’s tough,” Blackwood commented on stepping into the game cold. “Obviously, you’re cold. You have no feel of the game. So you have to go in there and try to get into the game quick."

Evgeni Malkin secured victory for Pittsburgh with a decisive shootout goal; Crosby also scored during the shootout alongside Anthony Beauvillier.

Rust opened scoring early in the first period for Pittsburgh, assisted by Michael Bunting. Puljujarvi extended their lead before Crosby ended his five-game goal drought with his seventh season goal.

“We’re not satisfied with where we’re at,” stated Penguins coach Mike Sullivan regarding team performance and opportunities for players like Owen Pickering, who earned his first NHL point during his debut.

Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky expressed dissatisfaction despite rallying efforts: “After tonight, I don’t feel like we’re that close... Until every guy in there is believing in that, it’s going to be this up-and-down of a game that we’re going to see.”

Toffoli's power-play goal initiated San Jose's comeback attempt followed by Granlund narrowing Pittsburgh's lead further before Toffoli tied the game.

“It’s not ideal to be down in games," Toffoli remarked on their situation during matches. "But I think for us and our team mentally... [rallying is] a good thing."

In other notes from Saturday's match: Jake Walman returned for San Jose after missing five games due to injury; Nico Sturm did not play following an injury sustained against New York Rangers; Kris Letang remained absent from Pittsburgh's lineup due to illness.