NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins at Nashville Predators

Dec 20, 2024, 1:00 AM · National Hockey League
Final
5 - 4

Rust scores twice, including OT winner, to lead Penguins over Predators 5-4

Rust also had two assists and Crosby finished with a goal and three assists. Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson each had a goal and an assist for the Penguins, who have won three of four. Tristan Jarry made 22 saves.

Crosby, the Pitsburgh captain, snapped a 10-game goal drought.

Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, Luke Evangelista and Brady Skjei scored for Nashville. Juuse Saros stopped 15 shots, and Filip Forsberg had two assists.

In overtime, Rust took a pass from Evgeni Malkin in the slot and snapped a wrist shot past Saros. The Penguins trailed most of the night and never held the lead until Rust ended the game.

Pittsburgh has gone to OT in three consecutive games, going 2-0-1.

The Predators are 1-7 in games that went to overtime this season.

Takeaways Penguins: Despite putting just nine shots on Saros in the first two periods, the Penguins were efficient with those shots, scoring three goals.

Predators: Nashville followed up Tuesday’s victory over the New York Rangers with a loss. The Predators have not won consecutive games since winning three straight from Oct. 22-26.

Key moment With the Penguins trailing 3-1 nearly midway through the second period, Crosby and Rakell scored 1:14 apart to tie it.

Key stat The Penguins have earned at least one point in 12 of their last 14 games against Nashville, going 10-2-2.

Up next The Penguins visit the New Jersey Devils, while the Predators host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

Regular Season Series

PIT leads series 1-0

Scoring Summary

Goal 1st Period 3:51 Jonathan Marchessault Goal (9) Wrist Shot, assists: Filip Forsberg (14), Luke Schenn (1)
Goal 1st Period 16:21 Bryan Rust Goal (13) Backhand, assists: Rickard Rakell (11), Sidney Crosby (24)
Goal 1st Period 17:57 Luke Evangelista Goal (4) Wrist Shot, assists: Tommy Novak (3), Brady Skjei (8)
Goal 2nd Period 3:38 Steven Stamkos Goal (9) Wrist Shot, assists: Filip Forsberg (15), Gustav Nyquist (6)
Goal 2nd Period 7:54 Sidney Crosby Goal (9) Tip-In, assists: Erik Karlsson (19), Bryan Rust (10)
Goal 2nd Period 9:08 Rickard Rakell Goal (15) Deflected, assists: Sidney Crosby (25), Bryan Rust (11)
Goal 3rd Period 7:44 Brady Skjei Goal (3) Snap Shot, assists: Ryan O'Reilly (11), Zachary L'Heureux (5)
Goal 3rd Period 11:36 Erik Karlsson Goal (3) Wrist Shot, assists: Matt Grzelcyk (16), Sidney Crosby (26)
Goal 4th Period 1:07 Bryan Rust Goal (14) Wrist Shot, assists: Evgeni Malkin (20), Kris Letang (9)

Statistics

PIT NSH
16 Blocked Shots 11
15 Hits 24
7 Takeaways 5
20 Shots 26
1 Power Play Goals 1
3 Power Play Opportunities 5
33.3 Power Play Percentage 20.0
0 Short Handed Goals 0
0 Shootout Goals 0
27 Faceoffs Won 23
54.0 Faceoff Win Percent 46.0
14 Giveaways 12
5 Total Penalties 3
10 Penalty Minutes 6
Nashville Predators Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Jonathan Marchessault, RW Day-To-Day Apr 2
Colton Sissons, C Out Mar 31
Pittsburgh Penguins Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
P.O Joseph, D Injured Reserve Apr 2
Evgeni Malkin, C Day-To-Day Apr 2
Tommy Novak, C Out Mar 29
Bokondji Imama, LW Out Mar 29
Joel Blomqvist, G Out Mar 23

Game Information

Bridgestone Arena
1:00 AM, Fri, Dec 20, 2024
Location: Nashville, TN
Attendance: 17,159 | Capacity:

2024-25 Metropolitan Division Standings

TEAM W L PTS OTL
Washington 48 17 105 9
Carolina 45 24 94 4
New Jersey 40 29 87 7
Columbus 34 30 77 9
NY Rangers 35 32 77 7
NY Islanders 32 32 74 10
Pittsburgh 30 34 71 11
Philadelphia 31 36 71 9

2024-25 Central Division Standings

TEAM W L PTS OTL
Winnipeg 51 20 106 4
Dallas 49 21 102 4
Colorado 45 26 94 4
St. Louis 41 28 89 7
Minnesota 41 28 88 6
Utah 34 29 80 12
Nashville 27 40 62 8
Chicago 21 44 51 9
Full Standings