GAME RECAP: Penguins vs. Maple Leafs () | O’Connor Scores Two, Penguins Win Big

In addition to Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Bryan Rust being absent from the lineup, the Penguins found out that Kris Letang and Jeff Carter would be unavailable for this Saturday night showdown against the Leafs. Not great news to receive when facing off against one of the most skilled teams in the league. This proved to be no hindrance to the Penguins. Pittsburgh scored first with Drew O’Connor’s first goal of the evening, but Spezza answered for the Leafs almost one minute later. Mike Matheson showed a burst of speed and tucked in the puck on a wraparound off the rush only 1:38 into the 2nd period. Jason Zucker added to the total 15 seconds later to make it 3-1. O’Connor’s pass banked in off a Leafs’ defenseman to make it 4-1, and Marcus Pettersson’s tally rounded out Pittsburgh’s four-goal 2nd period. Brian Boyle didn’t let up the pressure on Toronto, scoring only 20 seconds into the 3rd period. Evan Rodrigues finished the scoring with the Penguins’ lone power-play goal on the evening, making it 7-1.