Pittsburgh Penguins continue to roll without stars, top Montreal at home

The Pittsburgh Penguins returned home on a three-game win streak but without three of their big scoring threats when they took on the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday night.

No Sidney Crosby, no Evgeni Malkin and no James Neal, but it was no problem for the Penguins as they beat the Canadiens 6-4. The Pens are used to playing without big stars. It just creates an opportunity for someone to step up. That someone was Brandon Sutter and Brenden Morrow as they each scored two goals. For Sutter they were his first goals in 10 games.

April 17, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Brenden Morrow (10) congratulates center Brandon Sutter (right) after Sutter scored his second goal of the game against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

It took nearly eight minutes for the Penguins to register their first shot, but one was all they needed as that shot hit off the post and bounced over the line. The goal was Sutter’s 10th of the season.

The Penguins weren’t done there as nearly two minutes later Morrow would score his 10th of the year, giving the Penguins a 2-0 lead.

The first period was dominated by the Penguins as they took a commanding 3-0 lead. The third goal came off the stick of Jarome Iginla on the power play, his 11th of the season.

The Penguins continued their excellent play in the second period and increased their lead to 4-0 when Morrow would score his second of the game and 11th of the season. Morrow was able to tap it by Carey Price after a great pass from Beau Bennett. Since being recalled from Wilkes-Barre, Bennett has four points in four games.

The Canadiens made a statement in the second that they were not just going to roll over and die. They came out and took the body to the Penguins, hitting them every chance they got. The Penguins were up to the challenge, hitting them right back.

Brian Gionta got the Canadiens on the board scoring his 12th of the year making the score 4-1, but Sutter answered back for the Penguins, scoring his second of the game and 11th of the season on the power play.

However, the Canadiens continued to work and were rewarded with another goal.  Alex Galchenyuk scored his eighth of the season by going top shelf on Marc Andre Fleury.

After the Penguins were unable to score on a four-minute power play the Canadiens would inch closer with a goal by rookie Gabriel Dumont, his first in the NHL.

It didn’t take long for the Pens to answer back as Douglas Murray scored his first goal in 146 games to make it 6-3. The Canadiens added another goal, but it was too little, too late as Andrei Markov would score his ninth of the season with 10 seconds left in the game.

The Penguins will look to continue their good play Friday as they take on the Bruins in Boston.