Sidney Crosby lifts Penguins past Hurricanes in shootout
Dec 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) prepares to take a face-off against the Minnesota Wild during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh won 4-3. credits: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports Sidney Crosby scored in regulation, then produced the only goal in a shootout to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 2-1 win over the visiting Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
Crosby, Pittsburgh's second shooter in the tiebreaking competition, swung to the left, moved into the slot while dribbling the puck, then clanked a shot in off the right post.
Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic stopped Carolina's Stefen Noesen, Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen in the shootout.
The Penguins earned their second win in a row and their fourth in the past five games.
Nedeljkovic, Pittsburgh's backup goalie making his second straight start and third straight appearance even while No. 1 Tristan Jarry is healthy, made 23 saves through regulation and overtime.
Teravainen scored the only goal for the Hurricanes, who have lost three of four (1-0-3). They had won five in a row against Pittsburgh, including one game earlier this season.
Carolina goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov, who was 3-0-1 in his previous four starts as he fills in for Frederik Andersen, made 24 saves through regulation and overtime.
Crosby opened the scoring with his team-leading 19th goal, giving the Penguins a 1-0 lead at 8:51 of the first period.
He finished a hit in the right corner, then took off toward the net a couple steps ahead of Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei. At the top of the slot, Rickard Rakell shoveled a heavy backhander toward the net. In stride, Crosby deflected the puck over Kochetkov's glove.
Carolina tied it when Teravainen scored at 14:52 of the second period.
After the Hurricanes surged with a few strong shifts in a row, and with the Penguins stuck on the ice with long shifts after an icing call, Jack Drury, from the high slot, got the puck to Teravainen. From the lower part of the left circle, Teravainen threw the puck toward the net. It bounced off Nedeljkovic's pads, off Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang and past the goalie's left skate to make it 1-1.
—Field Level Media
Cleveland Browns Need To Move on From Deshaun Watson Era
Duke’s Collapse vs UConn Adds to Troubling March Pattern
NBA Best Bets Today: Top Betting Picks for Monday March 30th
Why Illinois Is the Most Dangerous Team in the Final Four
Tiger Woods’ Legacy at a Crossroads After Latest DUI Arrest
- Top NBA Bets Today: Expert Picks for March 29 Slate
- UFC Seattle Predictions: Adesanya vs Pyfer Main Event Betting Picks and More
- Arizona vs Purdue Elite 8 March Madness Betting Picks, Prediction
- NBA Picks for March 27: Best Bets for Friday Night Slate
- Why St. John's Can Cover Sweet 16 Spread Against Duke
- MLB Best Betting Picks for Friday March 27th Slate
- Three Sweet 16 Teams To Avoid Betting in March Madness This Weekend

