Malone rallies Penguins past Panthers
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Ryan Malone scored twice in the final 3:20 as the Pittsburgh Penguins erased a two-goal deficit in the third period for a 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. Colby Armstrong also scored and Evgeni Malkin had two assists to take over the NHL’s scoring lead for the Penguins, who tied idle New Jersey for the Atlantic Division lead.
David Booth and Brett McLean each scored for the Panthers, who have lost four of their last five.
The winner was scored after a scrum in front of the net.
Malone took the puck from the right-wing circle to the net and Panthers goalie Thomas Vokoun, and it found its way under Vokoun with 22.4 seconds to play. The Penguins were on the power play after Malkin drew a hooking penalty from Florida defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.
Malone had tied it with another goal 2:57 earlier when he deflected in Ryan Whitney’s wrist shot from the left circle.
Malkin had the primary assist when Armstrong pulled the Penguins to within one 4:43 into the third. Just 7 seconds after a penalty to Pittsburgh ended, Malkin fed Armstrong, who fired a wrist shot over Vokoun’s right shoulder.
Malkin now has 79 points to move one ahead of fellow Russian Alexander Ovechkin atop the league’s scoring list, but his five-game goal streak was snapped.
Booth, who has eight points in his past nine games, scored his 18th of the season to open the scoring with 3:36 left in the first.
McLean scored 12:18 into the second to give Florida a 2-0 lead. While on the power play, a pass from Pittsburgh’s Jeff Taffe was not handled properly by Darryl Sydor. McLean stole the puck at his own blue line and had a breakaway – Sydor was signaled to be called for hooking – and beat Conklin stick side for the second short-handed goal of his career.
NOTES: Florida had been 16-3-2 when leading after two periods. … Mclean’s goal was the Panthers’ third while short-handed this season. Pittsburgh has allowed four short-handed goals. … The Panthers have scored only three goals in three meetings with the Penguins this season. … Armstrong has a three-game points streak, his third of at least that length this season.
Copyright Associated Press 2008