Penguins beat Capitals to keep Hunter winless

Associated Press

washington

Locked in a defensive struggle against their bitter rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t get a point from Sidney Crosby and scored only twice, yet still found a way to beat the Washington Capitals.

Chris Kunitz netted the tiebreaking goal at 2:36 of the third period, and the Penguins escaped with a 2-1 win Thursday night to keep Washington winless under new coach Dale Hunter.

Craig Adams also scored for the Penguins, who improved to 4-1-1 since Crosby returned to the lineup following an 11-month absence with a concussion.

It was the fewest goals that Pittsburgh has scored in a victory this season.

After taking over for Bruce Boudreau on Monday, Hunter has attempted to install a new system that stresses defense and forechecking.

The Penguins adjusted accordingly and outdid the Capitals at their own game, allowing only two shots in the decisive third period.

“We were pretty committed to making sure we didn’t turn pucks over,” Crosby said. “Our ‘D’ did a great job. We’ve got some guys who are new, and they did a great job of going in there and taking some hits to make plays. That’s what you’ve got to do.”

Earlier in the day, Pittsburgh recalled defenseman Simon Despres from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. In his NHL debut, the 20-year-old got the second assist on Kunitz’s goal.

Crosby was held without a point for only the second time in six games since his return.

He sustained his concussion by taking two blows to the head last January, the first of which came against the Capitals on New Year’s Day in the Winter Classic.

Since coming back, the standout center has two goals and nine assists.

Even though he didn’t add to those numbers, Crosby had no complaints.

“You play to win,” he said. “I had a few chances but they kept a pretty tight seal on things, and when teams do that, you have to capitalize. Unfortunately, I didn’t. But we did a good job and played a good game.”

Crosby’s lengthy absence, along with the ineffectiveness this season of Washington’s Alex Ovechkin, has dimmed one of the NHL’s most notable individual duels.

Ovechkin was also held without a point, and he has only one goal in his last 10 games.