PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens face off tonight as Pittsburgh looks to break a seven-game losing streak. Despite a challenging season, highlighted by Sidney Crosby recently becoming the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, the Penguins are seeking a return to form against a Canadiens team currently holding an 8th-place standing in the Eastern Conference. montreal won the teams’ only previous meeting this season, 4-2, and will aim for a repeat performance at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena.
34:43
Kulak had a pair of late chances, but Dobeš turned both shots aside.
34:21
Penalties:
Pittsburgh Penguins: Ryan Shea – 2 minutes, roughing.
Montreal Canadiens: Sammy Blais – 2 minutes, roughing.
34:21
A linesman was shaken up on the ice following a scrum.
34:21
Another altercation broke out in front of Dobeš, who ended up on the ice after multiple shots from the home side.
33:23
Letang fired a shot from the blue line that went wide.
33:10
Montreal is called for another icing.
31:51
The home team retakes the lead as Noel Acciari buries a shot into the top shelf off a feed from Letang.
Assists: Letang, Šilovs
31:15
Letang fired from the point, but Dobeš made a pair of saves.
31:00
Montreal is called for offsides.
30:20
Rakell got the first shot of the second period on net, but Dobeš made the save.
29:55
Dobson chipped the puck in front, but Slafkovský couldn’t get a stick on it.
29:30
A scrum broke out in front of Šilovs after a stop by Šilovs.
27:56
Montreal is penalized for icing.
26:01
Šilovs with another save on a Slafkovský attempt.
25:26
Hutson’s shot went into the side of the net.
24:43
Montreal nearly took the lead, but Šilovs came up with a key save.
23:54
The Canadiens tie the game after Juraj Slafkovský set up Ivan Demidov with a beautiful cross-ice pass, and Demidov ripped a shot past Šilovs.
Assists: Slafkovský, Kapanen
23:52
Slafkovský fed a pass to Kapanen, who shot quickly, but Dobeš stopped it.
22:43
Montreal adds another icing call.
22:34
Another icing call against Montreal.
22:28
Montreal spent some time in the offensive zone, but couldn’t generate a scoring chance.
21:00
Mantha shot, but just wide of the net.
20:45
Novak tried a wraparound, but it went over Dobeš’ net.
20:36
Icing called on Montreal.
20:01
The second period begins with a faceoff in the Pittsburgh zone.
20:01
The second period has begun.
The next period will begin in approximately 2 minutes.
Pittsburgh Penguins lead Montreal Canadiens 2-1 after the first period. The Canadiens got on the board with an assist from Juraj Slafkovský, but the Penguins responded, with Sidney Crosby becoming the all-time leading scorer in Pittsburgh history.
20:00
The first period has ended.
19:39
Hutson shot from the point, but it was blocked before reaching Šilovs.
18:41
Pittsburgh went on a 2-on-1, but Matheson deflected the shot just wide of Dobeš’ net.
18:17
Dobson fired a shot from the angle, but Šilovs made the save.
17:51
Play is stopped due to a high-sticking penalty in Montreal’s defensive zone.
16:32
Another icing call against Montreal.
16:25
Icing called on Montreal.
15:30
Šilovs makes another save on a dump-in.
14:47
Montreal established possession in the offensive zone, but only briefly.
13:53
Slafkovský lost possession in the offensive zone, and the home team regained control.
12:39
The home team answers quickly! A scramble in front of Dobeš led to Karlsson finding Sidney Crosby, who tipped the puck in.
Assists: Rust, Crosby
12:21
12:02
Penalty on Montreal Canadiens: Adam Engström – 2 minutes, tripping.
12:00
A scrum in front of Dobeš, who ended up on the ice, but the home team couldn’t push the puck in.
11:19
Pittsburgh is back to full strength.
10:53
Slafkovský passed to Caufield, who missed the net.
10:36
Montreal re-established possession in the offensive zone.
9:47
Pittsburgh clears the puck out of the zone.
9:19
Penalty on Pittsburgh Penguins: Kris Letang – 2 minutes, tripping.
7:58
A beautiful passing play culminates in the first goal of the game! Juraj Slafkovský found Oliver Kapanen in front, who buried the shot.
Assists: Slafkovský, Demidov
7:31
6:35
Brazeau shot immediately after the penalty expired, but right at Dobeš.
6:32
Montreal is back to full strength.
5:32
Karlsson’s shot was blocked before reaching Dobeš.
4:40
Montreal immediately clears the puck.
4:32
Penalty on Montreal Canadiens: Noah Dobson – 2 minutes, delay of game/shooting or throwing the puck.
4:26
Letang took a shot from a bad angle, but Dobeš made the save.
3:37
Matheson shot from the slot, but directly into Šilovs.
3:11
The net was dislodged after a shot aimed at Dobeš.
2:35
Dewar took the first shot for the home team, but Dobeš made the save.
1:58
Slafkovský’s attempt from the angle was stopped by Šilovs with his blocker.
1:25
Texier shot over Šilovs’ net.
1:14
Josh Anderson shot a backhand, but Šilovs made the save.
0:47
Montreal spent the opening shift in the offensive zone, but couldn’t threaten Šilovs.
0:01
The opening faceoff goes to Montreal.
00:01
The game has begun.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Šilovs (S. Skinner) – Wotherspoon, E. Karlsson, Kulak, Letang, Shea, Clifton – Novak, Crosby, Rust – Mantha, Rakell, Brazeau – Koivunen, Kindel, McGroarty – Dewar, Hayes, Acciari.
Coach: Dan Muse
Montreal Canadiens: Dobeš (J. Fowler) – Matheson, Dobson, L. Hutson, A. Carrier, A. Xhekaj, Engström – Caufield, Suzuki, Z. Bolduc – Slafkovský, O. Kapanen, Děmidov – Josh Anderson, Beck, Texier – Veleno, Gallagher.
Coach: Martin St. Louis
Referee: Pochmara, Sullivan – Jackson, McNamara.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a tough spot, currently on a seven-game losing streak, with four of those losses coming in regulation. They sit 12th in the Eastern Conference with 37 points.
The Montreal Canadiens have been alternating wins and losses over their last six games, resulting in an 8th-place standing in the conference with 40 points.
In their only meeting of the season, Montreal emerged victorious, defeating Pittsburgh 4-2, with Juraj Slafkovský recording two assists.
Welcome to our live coverage. The game will begin at 01:00.
