Coyotes snap 11-game, head-to-head skid vs. Penguins

Field Level Media|published: Mon 22nd January, 23:53 2024

Jan 22, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram (39) makes the save on Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) in the first period at Mullett Arena. credits: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Zucker had a goal and an assist against his former team Monday as the Arizona Coyotes downed the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 in Tempe, Ariz.

Pittsburgh had won 11 straight against the Coyotes, dating to Nov. 7, 2017.

Juuso Valimaki, Alex Kerfoot, Lawson Crouse and Nick Bjugstad also scored for the Coyotes, who have won two straight and are 4-2-1 in their past seven.

Arizona goaltender Connor Ingram made 25 saves.

Lars Eller and Sidney Crosby scored for the Penguins, who have lost four of five (1-2-2).

Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry stopped 22 shots.

Zucker gave Arizona a 1-0 lead at 2:23 of the first period. Logan Cooley, from below the right circle, got off a one-handed centering pass. Zucker converted it from just in front of the crease.

The Penguins tied it 1-1 at 4:50 of the second period. Ingram stopped Pierr-Olivier Joseph's shot from the left circle, but the rebound popped up, and Eller batted it in.

At 11:04 of the second, Valimaki gave Arizona a 2-1 lead with his first of the season. From the mid-slot, he wristed the puck past Jarry's blocker.

Crosby tied it 2-2 at 16:30 of the second, just after a Pittsburgh power play expired. Erik Karlsson fed Crosby, who scored off a sharp angle from the bottom of the right circle.

It was Crosby's 577th career goal, tying him with Mark Recchi for 21st in NHL history.

The Coyotes took their third one-goal lead, 3-2, at 18:01 of the middle period. After a scramble around the Penguins' net, Kerfoot batted the puck past Jarry's skate at the right post.

A Penguins blunder gave Arizona a 4-2 lead at 4:10 of the third. Arizona was on a power play, but there was a delayed penalty call against the Coyotes. Jarry went to the bench, and Pittsburgh was regrouping in its end.

Kris Letang sent a backhand pass to Evgeni Malkin, but the puck went in the net off Malkin's stick for an own goal. It was credited to Crouse.

Bjugstad got a short breakaway and beat Jarry glove side at 7:04 of the third.

—Field Level Media

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