3 takeaways: Penguins defenseman Jan Rutta makes surprising return to lineup
Three takeaways from the Penguins’ 4-2 win over Toronto on Friday night:
Rutta returns
Penguins defenseman Jan Rutta’s status was somewhat uncertain entering Friday night’s contest, and for good reason. He left Wednesday’s 4-1 road win against the rival Washington Capitals prematurely after being on the wrong end of a thunderous hit by Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin.
But Rutta returned to the lineup for his team’s 4-2 road win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Friday, logging 16:34 of ice time on 27 shifts and recording one blocked shot. When he was on the ice at even strength, the Penguins had a 13-9 advantage in shot attempts and outscored the Leafs, 2-0.
Rutta was not expansive when discussing the hit with media in Toronto following Friday’s morning skate.
“I’m fortunate enough that it was nothing serious,” Rutta said. “I can’t wait to be in the lineup again.”
“Sometimes, you’ve got to get off the tracks, right?”
GWG collector
Penguins forward Brock McGinn recorded the game-winning goal 1:54 into the third period Friday.
It marked the second consecutive game that he tallied the deciding score.
Per long-time Penguins historian Bob Grove, McGinn now has four game-winning goals in 78 career games with the Penguins. In his first 345 career games, all with the Carolina Hurricanes, McGinn had four game-winning goals.
DeSmith wins again
Backup goaltender Casey DeSmith earned his second win of the season (2-3-1) by making 28 saves on 30 shots.
Surprisingly, DeSmith has gotten two consecutive starts in favor of All-Star Tristan Jarry. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has been asked for reasons why DeSmith has been in net during these two games by media in Washington and Toronto, but the he has bluntly declined to offer any insight on the decision.
Saturday’s victory was DeSmith’s 45th win with the Penguins and moved him past Jim Rutherford (44) for 12th place on the franchise’s career goaltending wins list.
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