Malkin ends marathon Game 1 with triple-OT winner
Evgeni Malkin scored in triple overtime as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the New York Rangers in a marathon Game 1.
EVGENI MALKIN FOR THE WIN IN TRIPLE OVERTIME!!! š¤ #StanleyCup
ā NHL (@NHL) May 4, 2022
Cc: @penguins pic.twitter.com/ms7ZpRSX1N
It's the second playoff OT winner of Malkin's storied career and his first since 2009. It was also Malkin's 65th career postseason tally, tying him with Jaromir Jagr for third place on the Penguins' all-time playoff goals list.
"We know we can win every game if we play right," Malkin said postgame. "We play smart. We play hard. I think we deserved to win tonight."
Tuesday's game marked the 54th time in the history of the Stanley Cup Playoffs that a contest required at least three overtime periods. It was also the longest NHL game ever at Madison Square Garden.
Third-string goaltender Louis Domingue earned the victory for Pittsburgh. He stopped all 17 shots he faced upon entering in the second OT period after Casey DeSmith suffered an apparent injury. Tristan Jarry - the Pens' primary starter - has been out since April 14 with a lower-body injury.
"I honestly thought they were joking with me when they said I had to go in. ā¦ It's crazy, but I guess that's my life, and that's hockey," Domingue said, per team beat reporter Michelle Crechiolo.
He continued: "It was a lot coming at me fast, but it's something you prepare for as a backup. You have to be ready at all times. The guys played really well in front of me, and I thought Casey played great."
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed DeSmith is being evaluated for an injury.
Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 79 saves in the contest - the second-most in playoff history, per StatsCentre.
The showdown demanded a hefty amount from both teams over the course of over 105 minutes:
| Team | Shots | Shot Attempts | xGF% | Hits | Blocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penguins | 83 | 142 | 68.52 | 33 | 21 |
| Rangers | 68 | 98 | 31.48 | 43 | 31 |
Penguins defenseman Kris Letang led all skaters in ice time, logging 46:41, while Rangers blue-liners Jacob Trouba, Adam Fox, and K'Andre Miller each played north of 40 minutes.
Malkin is hoping the Penguins can get some rest on Wednesday.
"Your skates are too wet and a little bit loose, and you like can't feel your skates anymore. ... It's a hard, physical game. ... We know it'll be a physical and tough series," he said, according Crechiolo.
Game 2 is set for Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)