ST. PAUL, Minn. — Sidney Crosby struck twice, with Evgeni Malkin also netting a goal, as the Pittsburgh Penguins triumphed over the Minnesota Wild 3-1 on Sunday, ending their four-game losing streak. Goalie Tristan Jarry was instrumental, making 30 saves and earning an assist in his return since being sent to the minors on January 16. This victory marked Pittsburgh’s second win in their past 11 games to be decided in regulation.
Ryan Hartman scored the lone goal for Minnesota, which has now suffered its fifth loss in seven outings. Marc-Andre Fleury, in what is likely his last encounter with the team he spent 13 seasons with and won three Stanley Cups, managed to save 20 shots from the Penguins.
Malkin’s goal secured a 1-0 lead for Pittsburgh with just three seconds remaining in a power play during the second period. The Wild, struggling with the league’s most ineffective home penalty kill at 66.7%, couldn’t contain the Penguins. Crosby chipped in on a rebound halfway through the third period to extend Pittsburgh’s lead to 2-0 before sealing the win with an empty-netter.
Celebration was double for the Penguins as their coach, Mike Sullivan, became the 14th head coach in NHL history and the first American-born coach to achieve the milestone of 400 victories with a single franchise.
For the Wild, this game was just the start of a sequence of seven consecutive home games, part of an overall stretch in which they play nine of ten matchups at home. Despite boasting a league-leading 22-10-3 record on the road, Minnesota has struggled in their own rink where they stand at a meager 14-14-1.
One critical moment came when the Wild, with the game still scoreless midway through the second period, failed to utilize a four-minute power play effectively. They couldn’t capitalize, managing only two shots and often remaining on the perimeter, leaving the advantage moot as they finished 1 for 6 on the power play.
Fleury’s start in this game made history as it was the 1,015th of his illustrious career, placing him second-most in NHL career starts, only behind Martin Brodeur who has an unparalleled 1,251 starts.
Looking ahead, the Penguins are set to begin a five-game homestand with a game against Vegas on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Wild will host Colorado on the same day.
