Top Domingue, Heinen Star as Penguins Surge Past Rangers 7-4

435 Hits samuthra k May 8, 2022, 3:21 PM

Top Domingue, Heinen Star as Penguins Surge Past Rangers 7-4

The reality is surpassing the Pittsburgh Penguins' backup to the backup goaltender's greatest expectations. The journeyman stopped 32 including a handful on the penalty kill in the third period with the Penguins reeling to set the stage for Danton Heinen' s late tally as Pittsburgh surged past the New York Rangers 7-4 on Saturday night to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round series.

“In the last whatever, seven years, I’ve been in and out of the league, it’s the first time I’m a rookie again,” said Domingue , thrust into action with All-Star Tristan Jarry and top reserve Casey De Smith both unavailable due to injury. “I’m a rookie in the playoffs ..every day is a new day for me. It’s a new experience.”The Penguins grabbed control of the series heading into Monday night's Game 4 by chasing Vezina Trophy-favorite Igor Shesterkin in the first period, blowing a three-goal cushion in the second then responding even with the top line of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Bryan

Rust contributing nothing on the scoresheet until New York's net was empty in the final minutes. “A lot of teams don’t recover from (losing a three-goal advantage),” Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan said. "I think it speaks volumes to the leadership and the character of our group that we were able to move by it.” The Penguins killed off a pair of penalties in the first half of the third to keep the score tied before Heinen jumped on a loose puck near the New York goal line and flicked a shot by Alexandar Georgiev 11:02 into the third to put the Penguins in front to stay. “Bit of a rollercoaster, for sure. You hate to be in the box, you hate taking penalties, " said Heinen, who was given a 2-minute minor in the third for slashing. "Our kill was unbelievable. Louis was our best killer. But the guys battled for me there, and I was lucky enough to get one.” Evan Rodrigues had two goals and assisted on another for the Penguins.

Jeff Carter also scored twice for the Pittsburgh while Brock McGinn started the scoring on what became two-plus hours of seismic momentum shifts with his first goal of the playoffs. Panarin and Andrew Copp scored for the Rangers. Georgiev finished with 19 saves on 20 shots after taking over for Shesterkin, who was chased after allowing four goals in the first period. “Igor has been outstanding,” New York head coach Gerard Gallant said.

Really, you look at it right now, and he’s played 10 periods the last four and a half days, five days, whatever it is. I thought it was a good time to jumpstart it. Fortunately for us, we battled back in the second and tied it up. Unfortunately, in the third, they get a goal.The Penguins sent Shesterkin to the bench with a dazzling start in which they erupted for four goals two by Rodrigues only to promptly squander it with a second-period meltdown culminated by a turnover by defenseman Kris Letang that led directly to short-handed tally that tied it at 4.

Explore more about

Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.

About Author

samuthra k