GAME RECAP: Penguins vs. Panthers (01.24.23) | Kris Letang’s Triumphant Return

Prior to this game, the Penguins’ announced that Tristan Jarry would not be playing due to injury and that Kris Letang would be making his return to the lineup. Unfortunately for the home squad, things did not get off to a great start: Reinhart and Tkachuk put the Florida Panthers up 2-0 before the midway-point of the opening period. Rickard Rakell put Pittsburgh on the scoreboard with a well-placed deflection from right outside the blue paint, and 60 seconds after that, Danton Heinen crashed the net and put home the rebound. Per Penguins PR, with his assist on Rakell's goal, Letang became the seventh player in Penguins history to record 400 even-strength points. He is the third active blueliner—and 23rd in NHL history—to reach the milestone. Then, Kris Letang found the back of the net with a redirected puck from near the faceoff circle, giving the Penguins a 3-2 lead. Verhaeghe had an answer for the visitors, though, and knotted things up, 3-3, before the opening period concluded. The 2nd period saw Ekblad earning a short-handed tally, tipping the scales in favor of the visitors. 41 seconds before the end of the middle frame, the captain would pounce. Sidney Crosby won a loose puck at the blue line, turned on the jets, put the puck on his backhand, and went five-hole. It was then 4-4 heading into the intermission. To continue the theme from the rest of the game, no lead was safe in the 3rd period. White gave Florida a 5-4 lead, but that was answered by Drew O’Connor as he crashed the net and smacked home a rebound opportunity. Evgeni Malkin then notched one on the man-advantage with a signature one-timer from the top of the circle, beating Panthers’ netminder Alex Lyon on the glove side. It was now 6-5 Pittsburgh, but Verhaeghe would find the back of the net once more, forcing overtime. In the extra frame, Montour took a penalty, sending the Penguins to the power play. It was Kris Letang’s night: the defenseman, in his return to the lineup, capped off an excellent night with the game-winning blast from up high. Per Penguins PR, Letang has tied Erik Karlsson for the most overtime points by a defenseman in NHL history (31) with his tally tonight.

Letang (2G-2A), Crosby (1G-2A), Heinen (1G-2A), Malkin (1G-2A), O’Connor (1G-1A), and Poehling (2A) each had multi-point games, while Casey DeSmith turned aside 33 of 39 shots.

[JekitySnekity]

Rough night for DeSmith but the boys bailed him out like DeSmith bailed out the boys vs the Coyotes. Thrilling match up and awesome return for Kris Letang. Crosby, Geno, and Tanger all scored power play goals.

[williamfischer]

I love how excited Sid still gets after the goals. He is just a incredible competitor!

[aenstreams]

My goodness, that Crosby goal. A fortuitous bounce? Absolutely. But he's just the smartest player on the ice and always has been. When you're thinking the game two steps ahead of your opponent and the fortuitous happens you react faster. A true prodigy on display.

[coltoncarson_UKR-RUS]

haven't seen sid that happy in a while

[Chilly_Billy]

That OT period was possibly the most aggressive teamwork we've seen all year. Proof that the Pens can do it.

[carsonbernard]

Very frustrating game to watch, lucky to get outta this one with the win.

[temptor]

WOW, amazing game tonight pens. Rough and tough for DeSmith, sometimes you just feel out of phase with everything on the ice, and this was one of those nights for DeSmith.

[detectiveandy]

Perfect example of DeSmith being the ultimate back-up goalie. He just doesn't have that starting goaltender pedigree.

[juniorjr]

About time e get an overtime win! Way to go Letang!

[staglione]

LET'S GO BOYS!!!! Welcome back 58💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[evanwalker]

Glad the 3rd line is showing up finally

[GameShowMike]

1:49 Richard Rakell puts the Penguins on the board! Oh, how much fried chicken can you eat?
2:30 Danton Heiden ties it up at two apiece! Oh, get in the fast lane, grandma, the bingo game is ready to roll!
3:17 Bang! Bang! Kris Letang gives the Penguins their first lead of the night, 3-2! Oh, book ‘em, Danno!
5:30 Sidney Crosby ties it up at four on the power play! Oh, slap me silly, Sidney!
6:42 Drew O’Connor ties it up at five apiece! Oh, start frying the jumbo, Homer! Extra crispy, please!
7:25 Touchdown! It’s Evgeni Malkin with the goal and it’s 6-5 Penguins! Oh, make me a milkshake, Malkin!
9:09 The extra point is good! It’s Kris Letang with the overtime winner! And ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has just left the building!

[quoting]

Was really happy for Letang on what I can only imagine was a huge roller-coaster of emotions for him during that game. To come back after his stroke in November, injury before the Winter Classic, and his father passing away unexpectedly around the New Year, and have a career-highlight night just speaks to his intense level of talent, competitiveness, and dedication to his team. What a strange, wild game. But what a way to end it.

[tamasalborov]

Вот это матч! Вот это праздник! Браво 🔥🔥🔥 let's go Pen's!

[mini-stang]

Most exciting pens game Iv watched in awhile

[katelydon]

this game was my first pens home game and i dont know how im supposed to come back to real life after this

[davem]

Can we get fleury for a conditional 5th round?

[cherylgessner]

Gonna admit when the panthers scored to start the third I thought it was over

[inmyhumbleopinion]

Despite the win, I'm gonna say it again. Desmith has to go. Get a better Goalie than jarry to be our main, and make jarry the backup. I love Jarry don't get me wrong, but even he still has growing to do

[Fiz_Edits]

We actually need to get a new goalie this is atrocious