Brent Johnson Shuts Out Canes
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Brent Johnson made 33 saves, and Pascal Dupuis scored two goals to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 3-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.
Maxime Talbot also scored for the Penguins, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Sidney Crosby had two assists. Pittsburgh played without star forward Evgeni Malkin, who missed the game after because of an apparent lower body injury sustained Friday in the third period of a loss to Philadelphia. Eric Godard played in his place.
The 34-year-old Johnson (5-0-1) earned his 14th NHL shutout. He entered the game ranked second in the league in goals-against average and save percentage.
Cam Ward made 28 saves for the Hurricanes, who have lost both home games this season 3-0.
Carolina had three quality scoring chances in the opening minutes, but Pittsburgh took a 1-0 lead when Dupuis charged in on left wing and veered to the center before backhanding a shot between Ward's legs.
The Penguins stretched the lead to 2-0 in the second on an odd-man rush. Arron Asham lofted a saucer pass to Talbot, who smacked a backhander underneath Ward.
Dupuis finished the scoring midway through the third period when he took advantage of an aggressive pinch by Hurricanes defenseman Jamie McBain and snapped a shot under Ward's arm on the ensuing rush.
Pittsburgh got a good start to its four-game road trip. The Penguins (6-5-1) have struggled at home, going 2-4 in their inaugural season at their new arena, but excelled away from Pittsburgh. T
There was a sizable contingent of enthusiastic Penguins fans at the game.
Pittsburgh held a team meeting after Friday's loss and emerged talking about the need to play a more complete game. The Penguins demonstrated that Saturday by allowing few quality scoring opportunities.
The Hurricanes juggled their lines in the third period, but couldn't beat Johnson. Not even a 5-on-3 power play that lasted 47 seconds could spark the offense.
The Hurricanes have scored six goals in their five losses this season.
Notes: Pittsburgh is 0 for 22 on the power play in its last five games. It was the first game of the season between the teams. Carolina went 3-1 against Penguins last season. It was only the second time this season Pittsburgh had been outshot.
