Pittsburgh Penguins Extend Winning Streak
The Pittsburgh Penguins extended their winning streak to six games after narrowly defeating the New York Rangers 6-5 in an exhilarating matchup on Saturday. Anthony Mantha and Noel Acciari each found the back of the net twice, helping the Penguins maintain a strong position in the Metropolitan Division.
Game Highlights
With just over three minutes gone in the first period, Mantha and Acciari scored back-to-back goals against Rangers’ goaltender Jonathan Quick, setting an early tone for the Penguins. Mantha added his second goal in the second period with a simple tap-in that made the score 3-0. The Penguins kept their momentum rolling, as Acciari and Rickard Rakell both scored within a mere 20 seconds in the third period, pushing Pittsburgh’s lead to a significant 5-1.
Special Night for the Penguins
The night was particularly special as it marked the 10th anniversary of the Penguins’ 2016 Stanley Cup-winning team, with the franchise celebrating the achievement before the game. Notably, Erik Karlsson achieved a milestone of his own, becoming only the 12th defenseman in NHL history to earn 700 career assists when he assisted Rakell’s 10th goal just 1:20 into the final period.
Rangers’ Late Rally
Despite the Penguins’ clear upper hand for most of the game, the Rangers mounted a surprising rally in the third period. Alex Lafreniere scored twice, while Vincent Trocheck, Vladislav Gavrikov, and Will Cuylle added goals in a frantic late-game surge. However, the comeback fell short, as New York suffered its 10th loss in 12 games since star goaltender Igor Shesterkin was sidelined indefinitely with a lower-body injury.
Looking Ahead
Pittsburgh’s victory came in the absence of veteran defenseman Kris Letang, who is expected to be out for at least a month due to a fractured left foot. He was seen in a protective boot during a pregame ceremony honoring the 2016 team. The outcome of the game moved the Penguins to second place in the Metropolitan Division, a significant achievement considering their current roster adjustments.
Looking ahead, the Rangers will have a break before facing the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, while the Penguins will host the Ottawa Senators Monday night.
