Two days after the Chicago Blackhawks (22-46-10) defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins (32-35-12) 3-1 at home, the two teams met for the second of their home-and-home on Tuesday night. The Penguins split the season series with authority, blanking the Blackhawks in a 5-0 win.
Tristan Jarry secured his second shutout of the season and 21st of his career with a 26-save performance. Spencer Knight’s performance will be one he wants to forget as he allowed five goals on 27 shots in the loss.
Game Recap
After a bit of a slow start for the Penguins to open the game, they quickly turned things around to take control of the period. A very late power play opportunity saw the Penguins capitalize to take a 1-0 lead. Sidney Crosby’s chip shot went over the shoulder of Knight with 15 seconds to go to send them to the locker room with the lead.
It did not take long for Knight to be called upon to make a big save in the second period. Under two minutes in, Crosby was looking for his second of the night on a breakaway chance, but Knight slammed the door shut. It was a milestone moment at 4:45 as Erik Karlsson scored the 200th goal of his career to make it a 2-0 game. Though they dominated a good chunk of the period, the Penguins could not find another goal and settled for a 2-0 lead heading into the third period.
The Penguins tacked on another three goals in the third period. Kris Letang scored his ninth of the season to make it 3-0 at 4:28. A Kevin Hayes’ shot bobbled off the glove and shoulder of Knight and into the net for a 4-0 lead at 7:42 of the final frame. Hayes scored his second of the night and period to make it a 5-0 game with 1:47 to go. Ultimately, the Penguins split the home-and-home with the Blackhawks with a 5-0 win.
The Blackhawks are back in action on Thursday night (April 10) to take on the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. The Penguins will have the next few days off before they hit the road to face the New Jersey Devils in their two clubs’ final meeting of the season on Friday (April 11).
