PITTSBURGH — Kris Letang’s reintroduction to the lineup was just the spark the Penguins needed as they operated without a key defensive cog on a night where defense was at a deficit.
The defenseman had the game-winning goal in overtime as the Penguins prevailed over the Florida Panthers with a wild 7-6 overtime win Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena. It was a battle of backup goalies, as Casey DeSmith started in place of Tristan Jarry (a late scratch due to injury, according to the team) and Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky was sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Jarry’s absence was felt immediately as the Panthers slid two attempts on net past DeSmith in the opening eight minutes of play. Florida’s first goal came via Sam Reinhart, who poked in a shot from the crease after Pittsburgh’s defense failed to get a clear. Shortly after (and following a Marcus Pettersson holding penalty), Matthew Tkachuk doubled the Panthers’ lead on the power play.
