Penguins Defeat Canadiens in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers

The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Montreal Canadiens in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers with a score of 3-1. The series is tied one game apiece in this best-of-five series. The game was played at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Here’s a recap of game one between the Canadiens and Penguins.

1st Period

Montreal continued where they left off in Game 1. They were able to carry momentum from the last game into the early stages of this period. But, Pittsburgh isn’t the five-time Stanley Cup champions without a reason. They were able to steal that momentum away from Montreal and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby scored a goal at the 15:35 mark of the period. However, the Canadiens were able to take control about halfway through the period but couldn’t get the puck past Penguins goaltender Matt Murray.

Pittsburgh went into the second period with a 1-0 lead.

2nd Period

The Canadiens again had an early momentum in this period but this period belonged to the Penguins. They controlled the game offensively and defensively outshooting the Canadiens 15-6. The Penguins weren’t able to extend their lead thanks to the goaltending of Canadiens goaltender Carey Price. Price made key saves as the period was winding down.

Pittsburgh held on to their one goal lead heading into the third period.

3rd Period

Oh how Montreal came close to tying the game. Again, the Canadiens started off the period with momentum on their side. Canadiens defenseman Brett Kulak and forward Tomas Tatar went on a 2-on-1 breakaway but Murray made a huge save on Tatar 14 seconds into the period. Montreal held onto this momentum until Penguins forward Jason Zucker scored the team’s second goal. But, as the No. 12 seed, the Canadiens weren’t going to be backed down. With just about 2:00 left in the period, Canadiens forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored the team’s first goal, cutting the lead down to one. However, Penguins forward Jake Guentzel iced the game scoring an empty-net goal to regain the two-goal lead.

Pittsburgh won the game 2-0 and tied the series 1-1.

Three Stars of the Game

Third Star: Matt Murray (27 saves)

Second Star: Carey Price (35 saves)

First Star: Conor Sheary (2 assists)

Game two of the Penguins-Canadiens series is on Aug. 5 at 8 pm EST.