NEW YORK — Goalie Louis DomingueHe was the hero Pittsburgh PenguinsAfter entering the game in the second overtime, he won Game 1 and stopped 17 of his shots. In Game 2 on Thursday night, there was no ending to the story — only a 5-2 defeat to the opposition New York RangersTo even their Eastern Conference opening round series at 2-1
Domingue allowed five goals on 40 shots. He was forced to make the playoffs after sustaining injuries to his regular-season starting goalie. Tristan Jarry(broken foot) Casey DeSmithDomingue, the team’s Game 1 starting pitcher who Domingue replaced in double overtime after DeSmith was injured in the lower body.
After the game, Mike Sullivan, the Penguins coach, and Domingue, a 30-year old NHL journeyman, were quick to support Domingue.
Louis was solid. He made some huge saves. He gives us a chance. He’s going to be there,” stated Sullivan.
Domingue surrendered the first goal of the game at 6:50 in the first period. Rangers forward Andrew CoppHe was able to get a slot on a single-timer. He surrendered deflection goals by Ryan Strome Chris KreiderThe second period was completed. Domingue’s fourth goal against the Rangers was Domingue’s most disappointing of the night. Artemi PanarinA shot was deflected by a Penguins defenseman Mike MathesonDomingue and the rest. Frank VatranoAfter Vatrano had fought through a Matheson-check, Vatrano completed the scoring by scoring a shot from Domingue’s wing.
Captain Penguins stated, “The fourth one wasn’t a good bounce, but a few tips here.” Sidney Crosby. “I thought he had a solid foundation. I thought he was solid, especially when there were a difference of one or two goals. That kept us in it.”
Defenseman Marcus PetterssonDomingue was praised for his effort after the match.
“Especially in the second period. Pettersson said that he kept it close for us, with 17 shots from the Rangers in the middle frame.
On Saturday night in Pittsburgh, the Penguins will face off against the Rangers. There’s a possibility Domingue could return to the Rangers’ starting goalie position. DeSmith is currently unable to skate due to a lower-body injury. Jarry is still not able to skate. Pittsburgh was also without a defenseman Brian DumoulinSullivan claimed that Sullivan was out with a lower body injury in Game 2.
“We can find many positives in life.” [from Game 2]. We were good tonight at 5-on-5, and I think we did a decent job. The only area we need to improve is on special team, on both side,” stated Sullivan. The Rangers were 1-for-4 with the power play, while they were 0-for-2 for the Penguins.
Crosby indicated that Game 3 will be about getting off to a good start. The Rangers scored the Rangers’ first goal in the second period for the second straight game.
It’s the playoffs. There will be swings in momentum. But I think that both games have seen improvements over time. “We just need to find a better way to get out of these gates,” he stated.