Penguins Rally Past Bruins in OT
Pittsburgh staged a dramatic comeback to beat Boston 5-4 in overtime Sunday, with Tommy Novak scoring the winner just 17 seconds into OT. The Penguins pulled it off without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, getting two third-period goals from Anthony Mantha. David Pastrnak ended his goal drought with a second-period strike, but it wasn't enough.
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Penguins, who have managed to get points in 16 of their last 19 games. This win came at a crucial time, as Pittsburgh is currently third in the Metropolitan Division. The team is fighting to maintain its playoff position, especially with a challenging upcoming schedule. This was the second game the Penguins played without their two biggest stars. Captain Sidney Crosby is sidelined for at least four weeks with a lower-body injury sustained during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Evgeni Malkin is serving a five-game suspension for slashing an opponent. The last time the Penguins won a game after trailing by three goals without both Crosby and Malkin in the lineup was on February 10, 2001. Anthony Mantha's two game-tying goals in the third period made him the first Penguin to achieve that feat since 2002. For the Bruins, the overtime loss was a significant blow. While they gained a point, it was their fifth loss in the last eight games. Boston holds the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, with teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets close behind. David Pastrnak's second-period goal was a bright spot for Boston, ending a nine-game goal-less drought for the star forward. Despite his contribution and a hat trick from Pavel Zacha, the Bruins were unable to hold onto their 3-0 lead. The Penguins' comeback was fueled by players stepping up in the absence of their stars. Anthony Mantha, acquired as a potential trade rental, is on pace for a 20-goal season. His clutch performance demonstrated the depth Pittsburgh will need to rely on during this critical stretch.
