Jeff Carter scores twice, lifts Pens past Coyotes

Field Level Media|published: Tue 12th December, 21:57 2023

Dec 12, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Jeff Carter (77) reacts after scoring a short-handed goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. credits: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Carter's second goal broke a tie early in the third period Tuesday and proved to be the game winner as the Pittsburgh Penguins snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the visiting Arizona Coyotes.

Jake Guentzel also scored twice for the Penguins, 0-2-2 in their previous four.

Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry made 19 saves.

Lawson Crouse had a goal and an assist, Matias Maccelli also scored, and Connor Ingram made 40 saves for the Coyotes, who lost their fourth in a row.

The game's big subplot was Arizona rookie Logan Cooley playing in his hometown against Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby. Cooley, at age 5, got his start in the sport in Crosby's learn-to-play program. Crosby had an assist for the only point between them.

The first period was dominated by special teams and concluded with a 2-2 tie.

The Penguins stuck early to erase a huge albatross. Guentzel, from the lower inner edge of the left circle, converted on a feed from deep by Crosby. Guentzel sent the puck inside the near post for a 1-0 lead at 1:12 for a power-play goal.

Pittsburgh had been in an 0-for-37 drought with the man-advantage over 13-plus games.

The Penguins reeled off the first eight shots of the game, until Arizona got a power play.

The Coyotes got four shots on that man advantage, including Crouse's tying goal at 10:20. Zucker, from the far side of the right circle, found Crouse in the slot. Crouse's one-timer glided past Jarry's blocker.

Arizona struck again at 15:24, and again on a power play. Maccelli pounced on a rebound and scored after a flurry around Jarry to give the Coyotes a 2-1 lead.

Carter tied it at 16:54 with Pittsburgh short-handed. Sprung on a breakaway by Drew O'Connor, Carter deposited a backhander over Ingram's blocker.

After a scoreless second, Carter struck again at 4:23 of the third, this time with the Penguins' second power-play goal. With his back to the net, he tipped in a shot from the center point by Kris Letang for a 3-2 lead.

Guentzel added an empty-netter with 1:23 left.

—Field Level Media

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