Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan stands behind Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) during an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 last night at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins were shutout by a journeyman goaltender into the third period until Evgeni Malkin scored on a power play. Chicago scored two empty-net goals surrounding a Danton Heinen goal in the game’s final two minutes.
The loss puts the Pens on the verge of missing the NHL playoffs for the first time since 2006. A win or loss after regulation by the New York Islanders tonight will make the Pens final game in Columbus Thursday meaningless. The Islanders host Montreal tonight.
The Boston Bruins defeated the Washington Capitals 5-2 last night and broke the Montreal Canadiens season point record that stood for nearly 50 years. The win was Boston’s seventh in a row, and they now have 133 points and 64 victories in 81 games.