Kessel’s overtime goal lifts Pens to win over Coyotes
Associated Press
GLENDALE, Ariz.
Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan did not like his team’s effort in a loss to San Jose earlier this week. A parade to the penalty box in Friday’s first period did not lift his mood.
A dominating second period and a big goal from Phil Kessel had Sullivan feeling a lot better.
Kessel scored on a power play at 4:09 of overtime, Matt Murray stopped 30 shots and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-2.
“I thought the guys did a pretty good job of keeping their focus,” Sullivan said. “We had a real strong second period.”
Outscored 10-4 in consecutive losses, Pittsburgh fell behind on Clayton Keller’s first-period goal following a flurry of penalties.
The Penguins rallied in the second when Jusso Riikola and Jake Guentzel scored 40 seconds apart, but Derek Stepan scored with 5 1/2 minutes left in the third to tie it.
Pittsburgh had a 4 on 3 in overtime when Richard Panik was called for slashing and Kessel cashed in, redirecting Sidney Crosby’s shot from the point past Darcy Kuemper.
“It started off a little tough, going to the box as much as we were,” Crosby said. “But we got some good kills, got right back at it in the second period and it’s good to get two points.
Arizona had won four of its previous five games and Kuemper was on a four-game winning streak, one short of his career high.
The Coyotes withstood the two quick goals in the second period and rallied in the third, but gave Pittsburgh’s dangerous power play one too many chance.
Kuemper stopped 32 shots.