Marc Andre Fleury’s sensational save on Erik Karlsson with 10:36 left in the third period helped preserve a 1-1 tie and James Neal (18) scored for the first time in nine games, netting the game winner at 1:55 of overtime to lead the Penguins to a 2-1 OT win over the Ottawa Senators on Monday night.
On the goal, Neal stripped Jason Speeza of the puck on the boards in the offensive zone and then collected a rebound off a Robert Bortuzzo shot and showed great patience for the goal as Senators netminder Craig Anderson was out of position and Neal put it home into an empty net. Bortuzzo and Evgeni Malkin assisted on the goal.
The Penguins outshot Ottawa 48-25 and had 74 shot attempts on the night in what was a great low scoring hockey game that had a lot of action.
All of the buzz after the game was on Marc Andre Fleury for his spectacular save on Erik Karlsson. Bylsma marveled at the save and how it wasn’t just a put your glove out and get lucky save. “It wasn’t just a stick your glove out {save},” Bylsma said. “He made that save….. It was an amazing save”
Fleury continues to play on another level at home compared to on the road where he’s under .500. Fleury made 24 saves to earn his league leading 30th victory and 20th win at home this season.
Brian Gibbons (3, power play) also scored in the win, a power play marker at 16:23 of the first period.
Sidney Crosby did not score for the fifth straight game and has just two even strength points in his last five games.
The Penguins were 2-for-2 on the penalty kill and are 27-for-27 on the PK in their last nine home games.
On the injury front, Taylor Pyatt was lost to a lower body injury in the first period. He did not return. Kris Letang missed his third straight game. He was in attendance.