Crosby scores first goal in Dallas, Penguins lose 3-2 to Stars

DALLAS (AP) — Jake Oettinger allowed Sidney Crosby’s first profession objective in Dallas. The Stars goaltender additionally made loads of huge saves, together with a number of on Pittsburgh’s high-scoring star.

Joe Pavelski scored the tiebreaking objective on a third-period energy play, and the Stars overcame Crosby’s first tally in Texas in a 3-2 victory over the Penguins on Thursday night time.

Oettinger made 40 saves, 5 of them coming within the remaining 68 seconds when the Penguins had a 6-on-4 benefit with the goalie pulled after Jani Hakanpaa was referred to as for slashing.

The 24-year-old Oettinger, who had a breakout efficiency in a first-round playoff loss final spring, was coming off three consecutive sub-.900 save percentages, and wasn’t very pleased with himself.

He was a little bit extra happy after serving to the Stars slip some extent forward of Minnesota atop the Central Division with the Wild’s 5-4 shootout loss in Philadelphia. Dallas has 10 video games remaining.

“I really feel like I am among the finest goalies on the earth, and I have never proven that,” stated Oettinger, who has performed greater than regular with main backup Scott Wedgewood injured.

“Lots of people have been saying they assume I am exhausted,” he stated. “Nobody is aware of how I really feel aside from me. I really feel nice. Nobody can say that about tonight.”

Roope Hintz and Jamie Benn additionally scored for Dallas, and main goal-scorer Jason Robertson had a pair of assists.

Crosby’s 548th profession objective was the 35-year-old’s first in 10 video games on the house of the Stars and gave him not less than one in every of the opposite 31 NHL arenas.

Regardless of the loss, the Penguins held on to the ultimate playoff spot within the Jap Convention due to Florida’s 6-2 loss to Toronto.

“I feel the group feels good about our sport,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan stated. “I believed we performed effectively sufficient to win. There was quite a bit to love about our general sport.”

Pavelski tipped a pass from Miro Heiskanen previous Casey DeSmith halfway by the third interval after Chad Ruhwedel had been referred to as for high-sticking.

The help gave the 23-year-old Heiskanen a 12-game level streak, a franchise document for a Stars defenseman. Craig Hartsburg set the earlier mark in 1986, when the workforce was in Minnesota.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph pulled the Penguins inside 3-2 with six minutes to go, however Oettinger and the Stars held on.

With the sport tied 1-1 early within the third, Oettinger made a sprawling pad save on Bryan Rust on an opportunity arrange by Crosby’s cross, then made one other pad save in opposition to Crosby on the rebound.

Within the frantic remaining seconds, Oettinger, who earned his thirty first win, made a nifty glove seize when Crosby despatched an elevated puck towards the online.

“We have talked all 12 months, it is about your response,” Dallas coach Pete DeBoer stated. “His response tonight tells you what he is about. We weren’t going to lose that sport, and he made certain of it. He was our greatest participant by far.”

DeSmith, who had a 1.00 goals-against common in two video games in opposition to Dallas coming in, stopped 30 pictures.

After Hintz put Dallas in front along with his thirty third objective within the first interval, Crosby pulled Pittsburgh even along with his thirty first within the second an evening after scoring in Colorado to tie Mario Lemieux for essentially the most 30-goal seasons in franchise historical past with 11.

SEGUIN’S RETURN

Stars F Tyler Seguin returned from a six-game absence after getting lower on his left leg March 9 in opposition to Buffalo. He had three pictures and a team-high three giveaways in 14 minutes.

“All the things’s simply sort of the place is your mind, simply being round gamers once more,” Seguin stated. “These fast selections, a few them you want again. However nice win.”

JOSEPH’S 20TH

Joseph’s objective was his fifth and gave him 20 factors this season. Dallas’ Nils Lundkvist (six targets) is the one rookie defenseman with extra targets. Joseph is the eleventh Pittsburgh rookie blueliner to document 20 factors.

ROBERTSON’S 200TH

Robertson is as much as 50 assists on the season, second on the membership to Heiskanen’s 51, and completed his 2 hundredth profession sport with 216 factors (99 targets, 117 assists).

ILL

Stars F Radek Faksa was a late scratch with an sickness.

UP NEXT

Penguins: Washington at house Saturday.

Stars: A 3-game homestand ends Saturday in opposition to Vancouver.