Jordan Staal added a goal and an assist to extend his points
streak to a career-best six games and rookie Brad Thiessen stopped 22 shots.
The Penguins started the day by unveiling a statue honoring
Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux outside Consol Energy Center. The three-time MVP,
now the team owner, watched from his box as Pittsburgh won for the 11th time in
its last 12 home games to strengthen its hold on fourth-place in the Eastern
Conference.
Phil Kessel and Carl Gunnarsson scored for Toronto. The
Maple Leafs let an early two-goal lead slip away while falling to 1-2 since
Randy Carlyle took over as coach following Ron Wilson’s firing.
The Maple Leafs have lost six of seven and are five points
behind eighth-place Winnipeg.
In Buffalo, New York, Jason
Pominville scored on a power play 56 seconds into overtime to lift Buffalo past
Carolina.
Thomas Vanek and Tyler Myers also scored to help the Sabres
(31-28-8) jump into a tie with Washington for ninth place in the Eastern
Conference. Ryan Miller stopped 22 shots, Pominville and Vanek also had assists,
and the Sabres outshot the Hurricanes 42-24.
Pominville converted in overtime after Bryan Allen was sent
off for hooking with 55 seconds left in regulation. Parked atop the left
circle, Pominville took a pass from Christian Ehrhoff and blasted it inside the
far post. Goalie Cam Ward appeared to be screened by defenseman Jay Harrison.
Jaroslav Spacek and Chad LaRose scored for Carolina.
