Penguins' top line catches fire in 9-2 beating of Canadiens

The line of Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Sidney Crosby dominated in the Pittsburgh Penguins' 9-2 win over the host Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.

Rust had three goals and one assist, Rakell notched two goals and two assists and Crosby collected three assists.

Defenseman Kris Letang contributed a goal and an assist and Anthony Beauvillier, Matt Nieto and Noel Acciari also scored for Pittsburgh. Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk had two assists and Tristan Jarry stopped 21 shots.

Nick Suzuki and Joel Armia got the goals for Montreal. Sam Montembeault allowed six goals on 26 shots before being replaced by Cayden Primeau, who let in three goals on seven shots.

Rust scored twice in a span of 3:24 during the second period to give the Penguins a 3-1 lead.

His first goal came at 10:03 when Rust came in wide off the left wing to the goal line, skated across the crease and slid the puck past Montembeault. Rust's second goal was the result of a tip-in from the other side of the net, converting Rakell's no-look pass from the slot at 13:27.

Armia made it 3-2 with 5:24 left in the middle period on a one-time slap shot from the left faceoff dot.

Pittsburgh then exploded for six goals in the third period.

Rakell's second goal, 4:40 into the third, made it 4-2. From in front of the net, he tipped in Rust's pass from the left corner. It was Rakell's 13th goal.

Letang scored a power-play goal 7:42 into the third period and Beauvillier added a goal 59 seconds later. It was Letang's sixth goal of the season and Beauvillier's eighth goal.

Rust completed the hat trick with an unassisted goal for his 12th tally of the season with 8:04 left.

Nieto and Acciari completed the scoring. It was Nieto's first goal since Nov. 4, 2023.

Suzuki opened the scoring 2:12 into the game with his 11th goal.

Rakell tied it 4:18 into the first period with a power-play goal.

--Field Level Media