National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Pittsburgh 3, San Jose 2
When: 7:30 PM ET, Sunday, March 29, 2015
Where: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Referees: Wes McCauley, Kevin Pollock
Linesmen: Steve Barton, Pierre Racicot
Attendance: 18620

Penguins 3, Sharks 2 (SO): David Perron and captain Sidney Crosby each scored in the shootout as host Pittsburgh skated to its second straight win.

Patric Hornqvist received a double-minor for high-sticking 71 seconds into overtime and San Jose's Joe Thornton hit the post moments later, but Pittsburgh was able to weather the storm. Perron lifted a backhand shot past Alex Stalock in the first round of the bonus format and Crosby improved to 5-for-9 in shootout attempts this season with a wrist shot inside the left post in the second before Logan Couture hit the post to end the contest.

Hornqvist scored and Chris Kunitz added a power-play goal for the Penguins, who remained even in points with the New York Islanders for second place in the Metropolitan Division with a game in hand. Crosby notched an assist for his league-leading 79th point and Marc-Andre Fleury finished with 30 saves.

Couture converted a man-advantage opportunity and Ben Smith also tallied for the Sharks, who finished a 3-3-1 road trip and reside six points behind third-place Calgary in the Pacific Division. Stalock turned aside 31 shots while making his second start in as many days in place of Antti Niemi (illness).

Hornqvist made good on his second attempt by backhanding the puck past Stalock from the slot 7:08 into the first period to open the scoring. Crosby's slick pass from the right faceoff circle found Kunitz at the left doorstep 56 seconds later to double the advantage, but Smith deflected defenseman Justin Braun's shot from the point 6:44 into the second and Couture's wrist shot on a partial breakaway with 4:22 left in the session forged a tie.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Pittsburgh D Kris Letang sat out with a concussion, which he sustained following a hit by Arizona captain Shane Doan on Saturday. Letang had been released from the hospital but did not participate in the team's morning skate on Sunday. ... Kunitz's tally snapped an 11-game stretch without a point and a 14-game goalless drought. ... Crosby has recorded 21 points in his last 15 contests. ... Referee Kevin Pollock was honored prior to the contest for working his 1,000th NHL game.
Top Game Performances
 
San Jose   Pittsburgh
Logan Couture 1 Points Patric Hornqvist 1
Logan Couture 1 Goals Patric Hornqvist 1
Justin Braun 1 Assists Ian Cole 1
Logan Couture 1 Power Play Goals Chris Kunitz 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Alex Stalock .939 Save Percentage Marc-Andre Fleury .938
Alex Stalock 31 Saves Marc-Andre Fleury 30
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
San Jose 32 2 1-6 1-2 4 36
Pittsburgh 33 3 1-2 5-6 12 33
Upcoming Games
  • Pittsburgh will play their next game at home against Philadelphia. The Penguins have a W/L % of .548 after a win and .559 after a loss.
  • San Jose will play their next game at home against Colorado. The Sharks have a W/L % of .459 after a win and .513 after a loss.