Pens eliminate Panthers, close in on playoff spot
AP Photo/Philip G. Pavely
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins eliminated two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida from playoff contention with their second win in as many days over the Panthers while moving closer to clinching a spot in the postseason themselves.
Rickard Rakell scored twice and Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists for Pittsburgh in its 5-2 win on Sunday at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins also routed Florida on Saturday, 9-4, knocking it out of the playoff race in the process.
Pittsburgh entered Monday in second place in the Metropolitan Division, six points ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers with four games remaining.
Rakell scored his first goal for the Penguins with 48 seconds left in the first period on the power play, assisted on by Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. With the three-point game, Crosby secured a 21st straight point-per-game season, extending his own NHL record.
Rakell’s second goal came with 1:52 left in the second period.
Bryan Rust and Elmer Soderblom also scored for the Penguins. Carter Verhaeghe and Cole Schwindt each scored for the Panthers.
Pittsburgh’s Arturs Silovs stopped 29 shots after tandem mate Stuart Skinner was ruled out with an upper-body injury. Daniil Tarasov allowed five goals on 23 shots in defeat.
UP NEXT
Penguins: Visit the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
Panthers: Visit the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.