Final - OT
Crosby returns, Pens beat Avs in OT
Dec 19, 2014 - 4:29 AM Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Blake Comeau scored at 2:24 of overtime to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 1-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night.Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was back in the lineup after missing three games with the mumps.
"It took probably a period to get used to the speed. The fact you miss some time you feel it early on, but once you get in the game you start to feel more comfortable," Crosby said.
Teammate Marc-Andre Fleury, who tested negative for the virus, made 29 saves to earn his career-high and league-leading sixth shutout of the season and help Pittsburgh improve to 4-0-2 in its last six games.
Rookie Calvin Pickard played superbly for the Avalanche, making 47 saves, including 19 in the third period to force extra time.
"He was very solid. He played a really strong game for us, allow us to be in that game," Colorado coach Patrick Roy said about Pickard.
On the game's lone goal, Rob Scuderi fired a shot from the left point that was deflected by Evgeni Malkin down low and Comeau poked in the rebound before Pickard kicked out his left leg.
The loss leaves Colorado's December record at 1-3-3.
The Avalanche had a chance to build an early lead when the Penguins were called for two penalties in the first five-plus minutes of the game. However, they registered only two shots on the power plays.
In the second period, the teams combined for 31 shots. Pickard made the best of his 16 saves late in the frame, stopping Malkin on a breakaway.
Crosby had a breakaway near the three-minute mark of the third period, but Pickard robbed him by making a glove save.
Game Notes
Avalanche defenseman Brad Stuart recovered from a hamstring injury to play in his 1,000th career game. He sat out the previous 16 games ... Malkin extended his point streak to six games. He has three goals and five assists over that stretch ... The Penguins have won six of the last seven meetings with the Avalanche ... Pittsburgh defenseman Scott Harrington made his NHL debut ... The Avalanche opened a three-game road trip.
- COLORADO: 0
PITTSBURGH: 1
Final - OT
Dec 18 9:39 PM - COLORADO: 0
PITTSBURGH: 0
End of Regulation
Dec 18 9:29 PM - COLORADO: 0
PITTSBURGH: 0
End of 2nd
Dec 18 8:35 PM - COLORADO: 0
PITTSBURGH: 0
End of 1st
Dec 18 7:41 PM - COLORADO: 0
PITTSBURGH: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Dec 18 7:08 PM
Related News
- Avalanche Prospects Mailbag: Panning for Gold Dec 26
- The week ahead: Penguins have opportunity for big — and important — week Dec 26
- Pens Points: Holiday Hangover Dec 26
- Celebrating the holiday with the Penguins’ Christmas-themed videos of the past Dec 24
- Recap: Avalanche dominate in much-needed get-right game against Arizona Dec 23
- Pens/Sens Recap: Pittsburgh plays well in one period, salvage one point in Ottawa Dec 23
- Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche vs. Arizona Coyotes (7:00 p.m.) Dec 23
- Gamethread: Pens @ Sens Dec 23
- Preview: Avalanche square off against Coyotes Dec 23
- Game Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators 12/23/2023 - Lines, how to watch Dec 23
- Weekly Grades: MacKinnon Nichushkin Domination Edition Dec 22
- Thoughts on Thoughts: Pens looking for defense, Crosby tinkering with stick pattern Dec 22