Penguins combine for shutout to end Ducks 6-game winning streak

During a delayed penalty in the second period, Gibson made an incredible glove save on Evgeni Malkin’s slap shot off a 2-on-1 break. The ensuing power play lasted a mere 15 seconds before Malkin was called for tripping Jackson LaCombe in the offensive zone.

Following this, the Penguins went back on the power play and Ducks forward Brett Leason had a short-handed breakaway, but unfortunately shot over the net.

“Playing in their end allowed us to defend a little better,” commented Crosby. “When you get caught out there, it’s harder to defend and you make mistakes, but we did a lot better job in the second and third.”

Despite trailing in the third period, the Ducks were unable to rally for the victory, a departure from their previous winning streak where they had rallied in five out of six games.

“It was a great crowd,” remarked Cronin. “They were just begging for something good to happen. We had the energy at the end there. You could see them getting on their feet.”

Eventually, Anaheim outshot the Penguins 7-1 over the final 10:15, but unfortunately couldn’t get one past Hellberg.

“It’s a good win for our team in a low-scoring game like that,” stated Sullivan. “To be able to close it out against a team that’s beat a lot of good teams lately.”

With 56 seconds left, it appeared that Noel Acciari had scored into an empty net, but after video review it was determined Pittsburgh was offsides prior to the goal.

In the final seconds of the game, Crosby scored into an empty net, solidifying the 2-0 final score.

“What I loved about our third period is I just thought we competed hard,” Sullivan said. “I thought we defended well, we had numbers back and we were on the puck, made good decisions with the puck in the critical areas of the rink and we dug in.”

NOTES: The Penguins have three shutouts in the first 11 games, the second-fewest to reach that mark in team history. They had three shutouts in the first 10 games in 2014-15. … Crosby extended his point streak to six games (three goals, four assists). He has 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in his past 16 games against Anaheim.