Sidney Crosby and the Penguins spoil Guentzel’s return to Pittsburgh, beating the Hurricanes 4-1.
PITTSBURGH (AP)—Sidney Crosby had a goal and two helpers, and the Penguins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 on Tuesday night.
Bryan Rust scored his 23rd goal of the season, making it his eighth in ten games. Jesse Puljujarvi scored his third goal of the season — and second in as many games — for the Penguins, who were outshot 31-14 over the last two periods. Drew O’Connor scored an empty-net goal at 18:04 in the third.
“We didn’t give them much,” Rust explained. “They had a lot of outside attempts, but I thought we defended effectively in front of the net and took what the game provided us. Overall, we played hard and smartly.”
Crosby scored his 35th goal of the season, becoming the first active player (and 14th in NHL history) to have 15 or more 40-assist seasons. He also recorded his 239th career multi-assist game, surpassing Joe Thornton for 10th in NHL history. The Penguins ended a three-game losing slide and rebounded from an overtime loss to Colorado on Sunday, when they blew a four-goal lead.
Carolina’s second-round draft pick in 2014, Alex Nedeljkovic, stopped 38 shots for Pittsburgh.
“You know (Guentzel) wanted to score,” Nedeljkovic explained. “You know he wanted to have a fantastic night, and their line was busy. But, at the same time, I believe everyone around here wanted to keep him off the scoreboard as much as possible.
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Dmitry Orlov scored his sixth goal for Carolina, which lost for the second time in three games and saw its seven-game point run snapped. Pyotr Kochetkov recorded 18 saves.
On March 7, Pittsburgh traded Guentzel to Carolina, along with Ty Smith, for Michael Bunting, three prospects, and a draft pick. Guentzel took six shots in 21:06 of ice time on Tuesday.
“My intention was to stay,” Guentzel stated. “But (Pittsburgh) believed it would be preferable to go a different direction. It is out of my hands. “It is not my choice.”
Pittsburgh is in danger of missing the playoffs for the second straight season following 16 consecutive postseason appearances and three Stanley Cup wins from 2007 to 2022.
Carolina, however, is on the verge of its sixth consecutive postseason appearance. The Hurricanes believe Guentzel can help them win the Stanley Cup.
“It’s been unbelievable so far,” Guentzel remarked. “Guys are great and they welcomed me in pretty easy.”
Guentzel scored 466 points in 503 games with Pittsburgh from 2016 to 2024. He also had 58 points in 58 postseason games with the Penguins and led the league in playoff goals during Pittsburgh’s Stanley Cup victory in 2017.
“It’s special to be back here,” Guentzel added. “I grew up here and have a lot of good memories in this building.”
During a first-period break, a tribute film was shown, and Guentzel received a loud, extended standing ovation. Guentzel, who has two goals and 12 points in nine Carolina games, raised his stick to the crowd and clapped in appreciation.
“When you get to the arena in the afternoon, it kind of hits you going back into the rink that you’re going a different route,” Guentzel said. “Would’ve liked to get the win, but it’s fun being here.”
