Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and the Pittsburgh Penguins wasted no time overwhelming the NHL’s newest team with an early surge.
Crosby and Danton Heinen scored 25 seconds apart in the first period, Guentzel extended his point streak to 13 games with two goals and an assist, and the Penguins cruised to a 6-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Monday night.
Jeff Carter opened the scoring just 1:47 into the game, followed by Crosby’s fourth goal at 4:42, set up by Guentzel. Moments later, Heinen added another goal, leaving the Kraken reeling.
“We had a great start,” Crosby said. “Getting the early lead took some pressure off, especially in a loud building like this.”
Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer was pulled after Heinen’s goal, allowing three goals on four shots. Joey Daccord took over in the net for the Kraken.
Seattle coach Dave Hakstol expressed disappointment with his team’s effort, especially after their impressive win against Edmonton last Friday.
“It’s unacceptable to start and play like that,” Hakstol said. “We all know it, and we own it. There’s no excuse.”
Guentzel scored his 14th goal of the season, followed by Carter’s second of the night, both on odd-man rushes late in the second period. Guentzel added his 15th goal early in the third, continuing his scoring streak.
“He’s been incredible,” Crosby said. “Whether it’s going to the net or that perfect shot for his second goal tonight, he’s doing it all.”
Crosby finished with two points, giving him 11 points in his last six games. Heinen also had a standout performance, notching a goal and two assists for his first three-point game of the season.
Daccord made 24 saves for Seattle. Jordan Eberle scored his 12th season goal early in the second period, but the Kraken struggled to keep up with Pittsburgh. Seattle had won five of their last seven games but suffered their worst home loss yet.
“That just can’t happen,” Eberle said. “You get behind against them, and it’s tough.”
Pittsburgh goalie Casey DeSmith made 28 saves, including a crucial stick save late in the second period. DeSmith’s deflection of Morgan Geekie’s pass, with Jared McCann waiting at the back post, kept the score at 3-1. Shortly after, Guentzel scored, turning what could have been a close game into a 5-1 lead.
The victory was DeSmith’s first of the season in his fifth start.
“Mentally, it was big for me to go out there and get a solid win,” DeSmith said.
Guentzel’s point streak is the longest active streak in the league and the third-longest this season, behind Connor McDavid (17 games) and Troy Terry (16). Guentzel has 12 goals and seven assists during the streak.
Carter became the second player to record a multipoint game against all 32 NHL teams, joining Derick Brassard.
“Some weird goals tonight,” Carter said. “But that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
NOTES
Seattle scratched forwards Colin Blackwell, Kole Lind, and defenseman Haydn Fleury. The Kraken also did not activate forward Calle Jarnkrok from injured reserve. Jarnkrok was a game-time decision after missing the previous five games. Blackwell scored his second goal, and Lind picked up his first career point with an assist last Friday against Edmonton. … Pittsburgh scratched center Brian Boyle, right-wing Sam Lafferty, and defenseman Mark Friedman.
UP NEXT
- Penguins: Visit Washington on Friday.
- Kraken: Host Winnipeg on Thursday.
