Michael Bunting Heroics Not Enough for Penguins

PITTSBURGH – Heading north of the border to take on the Ottawa Senators, the Pittsburgh Penguins were looking to snap their three-game losing streak. The postseason seems like an extreme long shot, but the Penguins plan on sticking to their game and fighting for as many wins as possible down the stretch.

First Period

The game started with some fireworks, but not through scoring. Penguins defenseman John Ludvig laid a big, clean check and was immediately met with Mark Kastelic dropping his gloves. The two didn’t exchange many blows; instead, it looked like a wrestling match that ended after one body slam.

Regardless of the number of punches thrown, the two sat for five minutes while the Penguins got a two-minute power play chance for Kastelic’s instigating. The Penguins did not score on the man advantage chance.

That fight was most of the entertainment for the entire first period as the horn rang on a scoreless opening 20 minutes.

Second Period

The Penguins stacked some good shifts on top of one another, but nothing was beating the Senators' netminder for a tally. Drew O’Connor returned to the lineup and appeared to have an extra step to his game, and Sidney Crosby was putting up his best effort in multiple games.

As the second period moved along, the game started to feel like whoever scored the next/first goal would walk away as the winner. That first tally would have to wait a little longer as the second intermission arrived with no score.

Third Period

Tristan Jarry finished the second period, making a handful of huge saves and keeping the score at zero. That trend continued in the early stages of the final frame as the Senators attacked early.

That early pressure from the Senators appeared to have paid off as they beat Jarry for the game's first goal. The Penguins' coaching staff wasted no time in challenging to play for goalie interference.

After a lengthy review, it was determined that there was goalie interference and the score would stick at 0-0.

The Senators continued to get chances, but Jarry stood tall on each one. Jarry did all he could, but he couldn't remain perfect and the Senators found the net to break the scoreless game.

With time winding down, Jarry rushed to the bench to give the Penguins the extra attacker. They managed to get a few chances and thanks to newcomer Michael Bunting, they capitalized for a game-tying goal with under 30-seconds left. 

It was the Penguins' 34th shot of the night that finally beat Joonas Korpisalo to force the overtime period.

Overtime

It was a wild start to kick off the overtime period with both teams trading scoring chances. Kris Letang slipping and falling opened up a lengthy breakaway for Tim Stutzle, but Jarry made a huge stop.

The frantic shifts continued as Jarry continued to make huge saves, but they couldn't last forever. A perfect one-time chance from Drake Batherson finally beat Jarry to give the Senators the overime victory.