Gibson, Ducks shut out Penguins

PITTSBURGH -- John Gibson made 29 saves to help the Anaheim Ducks defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0 at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday.

Gibson, a Pittsburgh native, got his first shutout of the season and his 13th in five NHL seasons. He was 1-3-0 with a 4.95 goals-against average and .859 save percentage in four previous starts against the Penguins.
After allowing six goals in each of his two previous starts in Pittsburgh, Gibson enjoyed winning in his hometown for the first time.
WATCH: [All Ducks vs. Penguins highlights]
"Obviously, it hasn't gone the best here the past few years," Gibson said. "So, it was nice. As long as we win, I'm happy. But I mean, yeah, it's definitely extra special when your family and stuff is in town. So, it was fun."
Ondrej Kase and Rickard Rakell scored in the first period, and Andrew Cogliano and Cam Fowler scored in the second.

Penguins goalie Matt Murray was pulled following Cogliano's goal at 3:42 of the second that made it 3-0. He made 10 saves on 13 shots before Tristan Jarry made nine saves on 10 shots in relief.
Anaheim (16-13-8) won its second straight game and handed Pittsburgh (18-16-3) its fifth loss in seven games (2-5-0). The Ducks went 3-2-1 on a six-game road trip.
"We've been kicked around a little bit in the last while," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "We've given up points and we've had two-goal leads in hockey games. That kind of wears on people after a while. … We're starting to get our team back together. We're playing more as a team."
Two takeaways led to the Ducks' two first-period goals.

Kris Letang turned the puck over along the blue line before Kase collected it and skated in on Murray. Kase went forehand to backhand to give Anaheim a 1-0 lead at 3:10.
"It's a slow start," Letang said. "We didn't get to the forecheck. We didn't get to our speed. It was kind of a game [where] everybody was kind of waiting. I think we have to initiate."
Jamie Oleksiak and Carter Rowney tangled sticks, leading to another turnover in Pittsburgh's zone. Rakell picked it up and put a backhand through Murray for a 2-0 lead at 10:35.
The Penguins didn't have a shot until Oleksiak sent a wrist shot at Gibson at 8:12. Jake Guentzel had their best chance of the first period when Sidney Crosby set him up in front, but Gibson stopped his backhand at 17:18.
With Anaheim defenseman Hampus Lindholm in the penalty box for cross-checking, Cogliano scored on a shorthanded breakaway. Fowler scored on the power play with 3.4 seconds remaining in the second to make it 4-0.

"It's huge to go up 3-0," Cogliano said. "We talked about getting that next goal. We knew they were going to make a push and if they would've got the one to make it 2-1, the game could've changed, especially in this building. So, it was a big goal.
"I think all the goals tonight were important and all the goals came at the right time."

Goal of the game

Kase's goal at 3:10 of the first period.

Save of the game

Gibson's diving save on Crosby at 7:54 of the second.

Highlight of the game

Cogliano's goal at 3:42 of the second.

They said it

"It might sound silly, but for us, it was important. Mainly because of what John's done for us all season. I mean, he's stood on his head multiple times and given us opportunities to win hockey games. I know it was important for him playing in front of his friends and family." -- Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler on helping Gibson get the shutout
"It's tough when you start the game the way we started. We spot them two goals. We all, as a group, and our coaching staff is included in that, we've got to do a better job of being prepared for the start of games and the drop of the puck. When you go down two goals the way we did early, it makes for an uphill battle."-- Penguins coach Mike Sullivan

Need to know

Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf had an assist on Rakell's goal to extend his point streak to six games. He has nine points (one goal, eight assists) in that span. … Penguins defenseman Matt Hunwick did not play with an undisclosed illness. Ian Cole took his spot after being a healthy scratch against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

What's next

Ducks: Host the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday (10 p.m. ET; PRIME, ATTSN-RM, NHL.TV)
Penguins:Host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; ATTSN-PT, FS-O, NHL.TV)