(Pittsburgh) Jesper Bratt found the back of the net on a third period penalty shot, and the New Jersey Devils spoiled Sidney Crosby’s start to the season with a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night .
Crosby tripped Bratt into the slot with three minutes left, leading to the decisive penalty shot. Bratt headed to his right and beat goaltender Tristan Jarry with a backhand shot.
Crosby had missed the first seven games of the Penguins following wrist surgery on September 8. Jeff Carter, who also played for the Penguins on Saturday, had missed three games after entering the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol with a positive result.
Andreas Johnsson scored two of the Devils’ goals, the second in an empty net with 1:43 left in regulation. Jimmy Vesey added a shorthanded goal.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Bernier stopped 33 pucks for the Devils, who started the season with four wins in their first six games.
Bernier kept the score 2-2 in the third period thanks to two important saves during a power play for the Penguins. He frustrated Jake Guentzel with his mitt and blocked a shot from Kasperi Kapanen’s reception using a lateral move.
Danton Heinen and Brock McGinn hit the target for the Penguins, who suffered three straight losses and were outscored 13-3 in that streak, after collecting points in the standings in their first five games.
Jarry made 36 saves.