Penguins Make it Count in Final Regular-Season Game vs. Carolina

WHAT HAPPENED
The Penguins earned a 4-2 win against the NHL's top team, defeating the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday afternoon at PPG Paints Arena.
Brian Boyle and Danton Heinen scored on goalie Antti Raanta, while Sidney Crosby and Zach Aston-Reese got empty-netters. Tristan Jarry made 42 saves for Pittsburgh.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Well, this wasn't the prettiest game the Penguins have played. But they found a way, and to do that against the NHL's top team who had taken each of the previous two matchups - they'll take it. Especially since they may be seeing this team again later in the spring.
"We had two really close games with them before, and I think we wanted to make this one count," Jarry said. "It was kind of our last crack at them, and we didn't want to lose a third one to them. It meant a lot, just because we might play them in the playoffs. Just to have that grit in our game and play a full 60 minutes."
The netminder quietly played a huge part in this victory, as he was the biggest reason why the Penguins never ended up trailing in this game. Pittsburgh got off to a relatively decent start, with Boyle opening the scoring late in the first period, and Heinen making it 2-0 in the second.
But the third period is where the Hurricanes really went to work, outshooting the Penguins 20-4 and cutting their deficit to 2-1 and then 3-2 before Aston-Reese sealed the victory with 12.7 seconds left. However, the Penguins hung in there and got the job done, through a combination of good goaltending and being opportunistic.
"I think we were all competing and battling up there," Heinen said. "They're a good team, they're gonna make plays too. So it's a matter of bailing each other out once a while, and Jars was great back there."
While head coach Mike Sullivan liked how hard his team defended, he said they spent too much time doing it, and it's something they'll have to improve against a team like Carolina.
"I thought in the third period in particular, we didn't force them to have to defend us enough," Sullivan said. "And that's just one area where I know we can get better. But the first two periods, we had some offensive zone time where we did get to that. And when we did, I think that's the type of game that we want to try to play."
The Penguins played their entire season series against the Hurricanes in about a month's span, just a couple of the big tests that they've faced during their recent stretch of games. And getting the two points today just adds to the confidence that the Penguins have in their group.
"I think we could beat any team, really," Boyle said. "When we're playing the way we're capable of, we want to continue to do that and get better, because it gets harder as the season progresses. The game changes a little bit. It's a lot stingier. Every month, there's a lot less free space on the ice. Emotions run higher, so I think there's a lot more discipline in how you play, how you conduct yourself and conduct your emotions.
"I think a game like today is a great test for that. We got a few more tests like that. Our schedule is not easy. I think it's a great way to prepare for when the real fun starts, and we got to put ourselves in a great position to make the playoffs."
OTHER OBSERVATIONS
- MORE LINE SHUFFLING
As Mike Sullivan tells us all the time, they're trying to put together line combinations and defensive pairs that are a) complementary and b) give them the best chance to win. And they make those decisions on a game-by-game basis.
Lately, they've been doing a little more shuffling than usual. For today's game, the top six and the fourth line stayed together, but the third line had a completely new look now that Brock McGinn is now out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
After making his NHL debut on Friday, Valtteri Puustinen was re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Radim Zohorna entered the lineup for his first appearance since Feb. 10 at Ottawa, playing left wing on a line with Jeff Carter. Kasperi Kapanen slotted in on the right after being a healthy scratch for the first time this season vs. Vegas.
On the back end, Brian Dumoulin was available after missing last game due to illness, but didn't reunite with his usual D partner Kris Letang. Mike Matheson played in that spot, while Dumoulin skated alongside John Marino. Marcus Pettersson was a healthy scratch, with Mark Friedman earning the right to stay on that third pairing with Chad Ruhwedel after his great recent play.
"We have seven defensemen here, and we can only put six in the lineup," Sullivan said. "I thought Frieds has played a couple of really solid games, and was deserving of staying in the lineup. So there's a healthy competition amongst our group in all the positions. These are difficult decisions. They're not easy. Marcus has played a lot of good hockey for us as well."
- SECONDARY SCORING CONTINUES
The Penguins got contributions from all throughout their lineup for a second straight game/win. After Bryan Rust, Rodrigues, Carter, Matheson and Friedman all scored in Pittsburgh's 5-2 victory over Vegas, two members of the fourth line got on the board today. Boyle, Teddy Blueger and Aston-Reese might have been Pittsburgh's best trio this afternoon.
"I thought that line in particular was really good in the offensive zone," Sullivan said. "I thought they did a really good job as far as helping us gain momentum. The goal Brian Boyle scores is a terrific example of it. They're hard on pucks. They're hard on people. Carolina plays a pretty hard man-on-man game. And so, if you can beat your check, you might get an opportunity."