PITTSBURGH — Tristan Jarry made 33 saves for his 100th NHL win, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins defeat the Calgary Flames 2-1 in a shootout and extend their winning streak to four games at PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday.
Evgeni Malkin scored the deciding goal on a backhand in the fourth round of the shootout for the Penguins (10-7-3), who are 6-1-1 since a seven-game skid. Rickard Rakell and Sidney Crosby also scored for Pittsburgh.
Jarry made saves on Nazem Kadri and Mikael Backlundand allowed goals from Jonathan Huberdeau and Rasmus Andersson.
“I think just over the last couple games, that’s what we wanted to be,” Jarry said. “We wanted to be committed to defense. I think over the last couple of games, it’s really helped. It’s helped us in the tight games.”
Malkin had his point streak end at seven games (three goals, five assists), and Crosby was also held without a point after having 11 (four goals, seven assists) in his previous four games.
Video: CGY@PIT: Malkin’s beautiful backhander wins shootout
Dan Vladar made a season-high 38 saves for the Flames (9-7-3), who had won four of five. Vladar started for the first time since Nov. 10, having lost his previous three games.
“Happy? That’s a tough word to say,” Vladar said. “We didn’t win. I’d rather win 8-7. That’s my job. When I get a call, I just have to perform as best as I can. But kind of a tough game. Close game, tight. Didn’t “I didn’t get the outcome, but still, I think it’s a good point.”
Malkin tossed his stick into the stands after the shootout winner. He was honored before the game for reaching 1,000 NHL games in a 5-3 win at the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.
“The last three days, I’m crying every day,” Malkin said. “The team gives me so many surprises. My wife and my son came to Chicago before the game. I had no idea. … Lots of good things. I’m excited. We win the last two games. That’s special too for me. It’s more important to win, for sure.”
Jan Rutta put the Penguins ahead 1-0 at 2:09 of the first period, taking a drop pass from Jeff Carter for a snap shot from the high slot. Rutta has three goals in 20 games this season after scoring three in 76 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning last season.
“He’s helping us offensively,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said of Rutta. “He’s doing a real good job of getting pucks through from the blue line. He’s joining the rush when he has the opportunity. … The fact that he’s chipped offensively with three goals in 20 games, I think is huge for us.”
Video: CGY@PIT: Rutta gives Penguins an early lead in the 1st
Bryan Rust seemed to extend the lead with a one-timer off a pass from Malkin at 9:42, but the goal was disallowed after the play was ruled offside following a review.
Rakell also nearly gave the Penguins a two-goal lead 44 seconds into the second, but had a wrist shot from just outside the crease denied when Vladar waved his glove for the save. Vladar turned away a wrist shot from Crosby near the left post three seconds earlier.
“I think the second period, we had a real big effort trying to forecheck, get pucks back,” Flames coach Darryl Sutter said. “Did a really good job. Knew they were going to be fired up after that [Malkin] ceremony and all that. They were. It’s a tough rink. I’ve been coming here a long time. “Tough to win in Pittsburgh, tough to get points.”
Dillon Dube tied it 1-1 at 8:37 of the second, deflecting a shot from Chris Tanev. He has a goal in two straight games following a 16-game drought.
“I think they came out and had a really good first period,” Dube said. “We battled back in the second and third. It was a tight game. Good team, but [Vladar] had an unbelievable game too. It was good to see that for him.”
Carter had a snap shot turned away on a partial breakaway at 4:38 of the third before having a rebound attempt denied by Vladar one second later.
The Penguins did not score after a power play Elias Lindholm was called for hooking Crosby with 2:12 remaining in overtime.
NOTES: Each of the Penguins wore Malkin’s jersey during warmups. Malkin was gifted a commemorative silver hockey stick and a mosaic portrait made up of 1,000 pictures, one from each of his previous 1,000 games, after a tribute video played during the pregame ceremony. … Defenseman Dennis Gilbert had the secondary assist on Dube’s goal for his first point in six games with the Flames. It was his first NHL point since a goal with the Blackhawks on Dec. 12, 2019.
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