Macklin Celebrini scored the go-ahead goal in the third period as the San Jose Sharks ended a six-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.
A 1-1 game was broken open 3:41 into the third period, as the Sharks capitalized on a Pittsburgh turnover. Tyler Toffoli cut off a pass in front of the Penguins’ net and quickly passed to Celebrini for the finish.
Mikael Granlund scored the other goal for the Sharks, who won for just the fourth time in their past 21 games (4-16-1).
Yaroslav Askarov stopped 29 of 30 shots for his fourth win in 12 games this season.
Sidney Crosby scored the Penguins’ only goal, and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 26 of 28 shots.
The Penguins are on a three-game losing streak, with all three setbacks coming on the road. Pittsburgh is 2-7-0 with only 18 goals scored over its past nine games.
Monday’s contest continued the offensive frustration. The Penguins were 0-for-4 on the power play, hit the post twice on quality scoring chances and had both a stopped penalty shot and an overturned goal during the third period.
After a scoreless first period, San Jose took control by outshooting Pittsburgh 13-6 in the second frame. The offensive pressure paid off at the 7:41 mark, when a turnover by the Penguins in their own zone led to Granlund depositing a well-placed wrist shot.
The Penguins then struck only 24 seconds after the second intermission. A three-man rush down the ice seemingly broke down in front of the Sharks’ net, but Crosby put a loose puck in the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Crosby’s goal was all Pittsburgh could manage in the final frame despite a 14-6 edge in shots.
Askarov delivered a big save just past the midpoint of the third period on a Drew O’Connor penalty shot. O’Connor was awarded the penalty shot after Sharks defenseman Timothy Liljegren interfered on O’Connor’s breakaway attempt.
A would-be equalizer for the Penguins was overturned by a video review at 14:46 of the third period. Michael Bunting seemed to bank a shot off Granlund and into San Jose’s net, but the goal was erased after the Sharks challenged for goaltender interference.
–Field Level Media
