Penguins extend point streak, defeat Flames on Guentzel OT goal

PITTSBURGH -- Alex Galchenyuk had a goal and an assist, and Jake Guentzel scored with 56 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 3-2 win against the Calgary Flames at PPG Paints Arena on Monday.

Galchenyuk scored for the first time in 15 games with Pittsburgh after being acquired in the June 29 trade that sent forward Phil Kessel to the Arizona Coyotes. Tristan Jarry made 32 saves for the Penguins (13-7-4), who extended their point streak to five games (3-0-2).
"We're obviously thrilled for Galchenyuk]," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "To get that first one, I think, is a bit of a relief for him. As I've said on a number of occasions, it's not a case of a lack of effort with Alex. He works extremely hard. He's one of our hardest-working guys in practice."
***[WATCH: [All Flames vs. Penguins highlights]*
David Rittich made 35 saves for Calgary (11-12-4), which is 1-5-2 in its past eight games after winning four of its previous five (4-1-0).
"I think we're playing much better," said Flames forward Sean Monahan, who scored a power-play goal in the second period. "We're playing a much better team game where everyone is getting involved and everyone is playing a role. I think tonight, I thought we were pretty steady. [Rittich] made some big saves in crucial times. Our power play got on the board, so that's a good sign."

After Calgary's Johnny Gaudreau whiffed on a breakaway with 1:36 remaining in overtime, Guentzel scored his Penguins-leading 12th goal on a wrist shot from the top of the left face-off circle.
"You kind of look back and you wish you could've buried it there," Gaudreau said. "Got your team the win and hopefully get you out of kind of a little scoring slump that's going on. But put it behind me, obviously. Learn from that mistake. Next overtime, that late, probably take the shot or not stick-handle as much."
Dillon Dube put the Flames ahead 1-0 at 7:34 of the first period when he scored on a wrist shot that beat Jarry five-hole. It was his first goal of the season and second in 30 NHL games.

Galchenyuk scored with a wrist shot on the power play off the rebound of a shot from Dominik Kahun to tie it 1-1 at 11:48.
"It's been awhile," Galchenyuk said. "Obviously, when it crossed the goal line, it was emotional. It was a great feeling. Even better that we got the win, of course. ... Every season, you kind of go through slumps. Last year, I went through like [16 games without a goal].
"This time was harder because you want to get the first one with the new team. Happy I got it over with now."
Jared McCann gave the Penguins a 2-1 lead when his shot went in off defenseman Rasmus Andersson at 7:14 of the second period.
With Pittsburgh's Zach Trotman in the penalty box for tripping Andrew Mangiapane, Monahan tied it 2-2 with a one-timer from the left circle at 15:09.

They said it

"There was momentum swings for both teams. It was a good hockey game. They're a good team. We had chances in overtime, and they had chances. So just a back-and-forth game tonight." -- Flames forward Dillon Dube
"You just have to stay man-on-man [in overtime]. I just think you can't lose your guy. If you're losing a guy, then someone's open. That's when you attack them. So I think that was the biggest thing for us. We have to stay defense first and the offense will come." -- Penguins forward Jake Guentzel

Need to know

Flames defenseman TJ Brodie played for the first time since missing five games after experiencing a medical episode during practice Nov. 14. He had one hit and two blocked shots in 24:01. ... With an assist on Monahan's goal, Gaudreau passed Lanny McDonald for 12th in points in Flames history with 407 (138 goals, 269 assists). He has 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 27 games but has not scored in the past eight. ... The Flames are 5-9-2 on the road and 6-3-2 at home. ... Calgary scored on one of its two power plays after going 0-for-14 in its previous five games. ... Jarry started consecutive NHL games for the first time since starting five in a row for the Penguins from March 1-10, 2018. He made 36 saves in a 4-1 win against the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 22. ... With an assist on Guentzel's goal, Pittsburgh defenseman John Marino extended his point streak to five games (one goal, four assists). ... Penguins defenseman Kris Letang returned after missing eight games with a lower-body injury. He had four shots on goal, two hits and two blocks in 25:37.

What's next

Flames: At the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; MSG-B, SNW, NHL.TV)
Penguins: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; ATTSN-PT, SNP, NHL.TV)