The Pittsburgh Penguins narrowly avoided another late-game collapse, securing a 5-4 overtime victory over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. Bryan Rust played the hero, scoring just 1:31 into the extra frame to extend Pittsburgh’s winning streak to four games.
The Penguins appeared to be in complete control early, building a 4-1 lead that included rookie defenseman Owen Pickering’s first NHL goal, as well as tallies from Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Marcus Pettersson. However, the Panthers stormed back in the third period with three quick goals in a span of just 4:32.
Sam Bennett started the rally, followed by Adam Boqvist, and then Matthew Tkachuk, who netted his second goal of the night to tie the game. Florida’s furious comeback seemed poised to hand Pittsburgh another disappointing blown lead.
But Rust had other plans. In overtime, he collected the puck near the right circle and fired a wrist shot past Florida goaltender Spencer Knight for his eighth goal of the season, giving the Penguins a hard-fought victory.
The Panthers controlled possession for much of the game, outshooting Pittsburgh 41-16. Tristan Jarry’s stellar 37-save performance proved crucial in keeping the Penguins afloat. Florida’s dominance in offensive zone time showcased their depth, but shaky goaltending from Spencer Knight undermined their efforts.
Rookie defenseman Owen Pickering continued to impress since his NHL debut on November 16. His first career goal, a shot from the blue line that found its way through traffic, was a bright spot for Pittsburgh. The 20-year-old has demonstrated poise and skill, giving the Penguins a promising boost on the blue line.
Despite another third-period collapse, Rust’s overtime goal offered a much-needed sigh of relief for the Penguins. After a rocky start to the season, Pittsburgh showed resilience, bucking a troubling trend of squandering multiple-goal leads.
Rust’s game-winner in overtime was pivotal, capping off a thrilling yet nerve-wracking night for Pittsburgh. It underscored the importance of capitalizing on limited opportunities in a game where the Penguins struggled to generate consistent offense.
The Penguins have now won their last five home games against the Panthers that have gone to overtime, maintaining their edge in clutch moments at PPG Paints Arena.
The Panthers will look to rebound as they face the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Penguins face a tough test on the road against the New York Rangers on Friday.
For Pittsburgh, avoiding these late-game letdowns will be critical as they aim to build on their current winning streak and solidify their standing in a competitive Metropolitan Division.
