1/27/15

Hornqvist, Letang Return to Lead Pens to Victory

The Pittsburgh Penguins faced off against the Winnipeg Jets tonight in their first game after the All Star Break. Thomas Greiss got the start in goal for the Penguins and Ondrej Pavelec got the start for the Jets. The Penguins drew first blood at 7:09 of the first period when Nick Spaling lit the lamp to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead. At 19;48, Jets' forward Chris Thorburn was assessed a two-minute hooking penalty to put the Penguins on the power play. The Penguins were unable to score in the remaining 12 seconds of the period, but they held a 1-0 lead after one period of play. At the start of the second period, the Penguins were unable to cash in during the power play. Chris Thorburn tied the game when he scored at 2:13. At 12:26, Penguins' defenseman Kris Letang and Jets' forward Chris Thorburn each received two-minute slashing penalties. The Jets took a 2-1 lead when Jacob Trouba scored a 12:47. With five seconds remaining in the period, Steve Downie tied the game with his ninth goal of the season. After two periods of play, the score was tied at 2-2. Just 59 seconds into the third period, Adam Lowry scored to give the Jets a 3-2 lead. The Penguins were given a golden opportunity to tie the game when Blake Wheeler was assessed a two-minute slashing penalty at 2:54. The Penguins took advantage and were able to tie the game when David Perron tickled the twine at 4:23 to tie the game at 3-3. The Penguins went back on the power play at 7:39 when Adam Lowry was issued a two-minute charging penalty. The Penguins struck again when Brandon Sutter scored his 10th goal of the season at 7:52 to give the Penguins a 4-3 lead. Patric Hornqvist sealed the deal when he scored an empty-net goal at 19:32 to preserve the Penguins' 5-3 win. Hornqvist scored a goal and Letang registered five assists in the game. This was a great win for the Penguins. They will play again tomorrow night against the Washington Capitals.