Penguins rally from two-goal third-period deficit to beat Sharks 3-2 in shootout at SAP Center

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

SAN JOSE — Ben Kindel scored the lone goal in the shootout as the Pittsburgh Penguins recovered from relinquishing a two-goal lead in the third period to defeat the San Jose Sharks 3-2 at SAP Center on Wednesday. The game ended with Pittsburgh earning the extra point after both teams posted regulation goals that left the score knotted when the final horn sounded.

Kindel’s decisive attempt came after he skated down the left wing extremely wide before cutting toward the middle of the ice. He then beat San Jose goalie Yaroslav Askarov through the five-hole to give the Penguins the shootout advantage. Sergei Murashov made 34 saves for Pittsburgh, while Askarov finished with 33 saves for San Jose.

Pittsburgh received goals from Kindel and Samuel Girard. The Penguins improved to a 7-10-2 record and have won two of their past three games. San Jose had goals from Macklin Celebrini and Mason Marchment; the Sharks dropped to an 8-11-2 record and have lost six of their past seven games (1-5-1). Celebrini reached 200 career points with his goal, and Marchment recorded his 100th career goal.

Girard gave the Penguins an early lead at 8:57 of the first period. Malkin made a pass on the left wing and fed Girard at the point, where Girard’s one-timer deflected off Askarov’s right arm and into the net to make it 1-0.

The Sharks battled back in the third period, but Pittsburgh still managed to regain control late enough to force extra time. Kindel extended Pittsburgh’s lead to 2-0 at 3:28 of the third period on a power play. Erik Karlsson’s one-timer from the point rebounded to Rickard Rakell in the slot, and Karlsson kicked it to Kindel at the left post. Kindel then scored with a wrist shot that beat Askarov over the glove.

San Jose reduced the deficit at 11:32 when Celebrini made it 2-1. Michael Kesselring found Celebrini in the slot after receiving the puck at the left face-off dot, and Celebrini’s wrist shot beat Murashov under the glove.

The Sharks tied the game at 15:49 as Marchment scored to make it 2-2. Celebrini handled the puck at the right face-off dot and found Marchment at the left post for the tap-in by Murashov’s right pad, squaring the score and setting up the shootout.

With the game level after regulation, Kindel delivered the winning moment in the shootout by scoring the only goal of the three-round deciding sequence. The Penguins thus completed their comeback from the two-goal third-period deficit and took the 3-2 decision over the Sharks at SAP Center.

Girard, Kindel, and the Penguins’ goaltending anchored Pittsburgh’s response after the late turnaround by San Jose. The Sharks, despite multiple chances to seize the edge after tying the score, ultimately fell in the shootout as Kindel’s attempt was the one that counted.