ANAHEIM, Calif. — Halfway through the game, the players leading the way for the Pittsburgh Penguins were Kasperi, Pierre-Olivier and Jeff.
Not Sidney or Evgeni.
Yes, that spoke volumes about the way things were going for the Anaheim Ducks. Pittsburgh took a 1-1 game and broke it open with two goals in the final 2:22 of the first period – by Kasperi Kapanen and Jeff Carter – on its way to a 6-3 win against the Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center.
The Penguins outshot the Ducks 59-31. The margin was 25-8 after one period and 43-18 after 40 minutes, making for yet another night under siege for Ducks goalie John Gibson and the most shots on goal the Ducks have faced this season as Gibson made a franchise-record 53 saves.
The Edmonton Oilers had 53 shots on goal against the Ducks on Jan. 11.
For the Ducks, it was their first loss in regulation in six games, ending a streak of five games (4-0-1) with at least a point. Their last regulation defeat was a 6-3 loss on Jan. 21 in Buffalo.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph led the Penguins with two goals and an assist, Kapanen had a goal and added an assist, and Carter scored for the first time in 12 games.
As for Evgeni? Malkin eventually found the scoresheet, setting up Joseph’s second goal, which made it 4-1 at 14:55 of the second period. Malkin added another assist on Bryan Rust’s goal in the third – which was Malkin’s 1,200th point in the NHL. Sidney Crosby had a third-period assist and now is on a nine-game point streak.
Trevor Zegras, rookie Mason McTavish and defenseman John Klingberg scored for the Ducks. Zegras made it 1-1 in the first period, just two seconds into a power play. It was set in motion by Adam Henrique’s faceoff win in the left circle against Teddy Blueger. Henrique has points in 10 of the last 11 games.
The game marked the return of Penguins forward Rickard Rakell, who played his first game at Honda Center since he was traded to Pittsburgh in March. Rakell received a nice ovation from the crowd when he was recognized with a thank-you video during the first period.
This was the Ducks’ second game without their second-leading scorer Troy Terry and it could be an especially rough go if Terry is out for a meaningful amount of time. Terry was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury and the team said he is considered week-to-week.
“It’s a tough spot to fill,” said Henrique after the morning skate. “He’s been such a great player for us and brings big energy to the lineup too. It’s an opportunity for some guys. Collectively, we have to find a way.”
