03/06/21 03:53:00
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03/06 15:52 CST McCann's late goal lifts Penguins past Flyers 4-3
McCann's late goal lifts Penguins past Flyers 4-3
By WILL GRAVES
AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) --- Jared McCann has always possessed the skills required to be
a difference-maker at both ends of the ice. The trouble for the Pittsburgh
Penguins versatile forward is consistency. Sometimes he looks like one of the
better 200-foot players in the NHL. Sometimes he can disappear for long
stretches.
Not so much at the moment, however.
McCann pounced on a rebound and knocked it past Bryan Elliott with less than 10
minutes to go and the Pittsburgh Penguins slipped past the Philadelphia Flyers
4-3 on Saturday. McCann's fifth goal of the season and third in five games
since a two-week absence due to a lower-body injury helped the Penguins beat
the Flyers for the second time in five days and draw even with their
cross-state rivals in the highly competitive East Division.
"I think he's trying to do the little things well," Penguins head coach Mike
Sullivan said. "He's trying to get himself into the areas where he gets looks
... And like any player, when the puck goes into the net it's good for their
confidence."
McCann certainly looked confident while racing through the slot during a rush,
and found the game-winner on his stick after Brandon Tanev's shot smacked off
Elliott's pad. McCann fired it into the net, then went skates over skull after
tripping over Elliott.
Zach Aston-Reese, Bryan Rust and Evgeni Malkin also scored for Pittsburgh.
Tristan Jarry finished with 19 saves as the Penguins responded after letting an
early three-goal lead slip away in a loss to the Flyers on Thursday night.
"I think that's a great team win tonight," said Tanev, who finished with two
assists. "Obviously, the result the other night was was not what we wanted.
There were times today when we were up and down, but we came out and had a
strong third period and got it done."
Travis Konecny, Kevin Hayes and Shayne Gostisbehere scored for the Flyers.
Elliott made 23 stops but couldn't beat Pittsburgh for the second time in three
days.
"They made us pay on a couple of our mistakes and we were right there,"
Philadelphia coach Alain Vigneault said. "But we made one mistake too many that
cost us the game."
TENSIONS RISING
There was the expected chippiness that comes when teams face each other three
straight times, including an extended tussle in the second period in between
the benches that involved Malkin, Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang and James
van Riemsdyk, among others, with Letang and van Riemsdyk getting minor
penalties.
"I think what you'll find is that the intensity in the game is starting to
heighten just by the nature of the standings being so close and there (are)
less games to (fight) for playoff position," Sullivan said.
BACK IN (ORANGE AND) BLACK
Philadelphia's Joel Farabee played 17:47 after sitting out Thursday night's
game when he was placed on the COVID-19 protocol list. Farabee, tied for the
team lead with 10 goals, was not credited with a shot.
"I mean, obviously, we want to come in here and sweep all three games, but it's
a pretty tough league," Farabee said. "They're a really good team. ... I
thought we gave a pretty good effort. I thought that third period could've went
either way. We have some things to clean up."
BACK IN (GOLD AND) BLACK
Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin (15 games) and forward Evan Rodrigues (16
games) both returned to the lineup after extended absences due to injury.
Dumoulin played 23:46 while Rodrigues skated 10:39.
Dumoulin called it a "long" 5 1/2-week break, one he's happy to have in the
rearview mirror.
"I felt good out there," Dumoulin said. "Obviously, as the game went on you
feel a bit better ... I just had to remember to tell myself to keep moving."
500 Club
Philadelphia's Jakub Voracek collected the 500th assist of his career when he
helped set up Gostisbehere's long shot from the point in the second period. The
31-year-old has been particularly productive when facing the Penguins. His
helper gave him 47 points (23 goals, 24 assists) in 48 regular-season games
against Pittsburgh.
UP NEXT
Flyers: Welcome the Washington Capitals to the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday. A
limited number of fans will be allowed in, the first time Philadelphia will
play in front of a home crowd since a 2-0 loss to Boston on March 10, 2020.
Penguins: Begin a two-game home set against the New York Rangers on Sunday
night.
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