Sunday's game against the Senators was capped off by none other than Sidney Crosby as his powerplay one-timer in overtime beat Anton Forsberg for a 1-0 Penguins win. Penguins fans are used to seeing Crosby put the team on his back and he did just that in this one. Tristan Jarry registered a shutout for the first time this season as he stopped all 31 shots that came his way. And it was a successful debut for Ville Koivunen and a nice welcome back for Rutger McGroarty.
OT WIN FOR PITTSBURGH! pic.twitter.com/8Z6U55y7MK
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 30, 2025
First Period
There was not much to report on in this period as the Senators had 16 shots on goal and the Penguins had 10 and there was only one Senators penalty in the period as the Penguins did not capitalize on it.
But you could tell from the first shifts that McGroarty and Koivunen took in this period, that they were ready to go and looked really good on the top two lines
Rutger McGroarty has looked great playing on a line with Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust. The rookie forward talked yesterday about how his 200-foot game has come along, and he's making plays across the whole length of the ice.
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 30, 2025
Second Period
Like the first period, there was not much at all to report on as the Senators had 11 shots on goal to the Penguins 9. Pittsburgh's Ryan Graves took the only penalty of the period at 19:53 of the period, which the Senators took into the third and did not capitalize on.
Scoreless headed into the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/dkivyrKefu
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 30, 2025
Third Period
Like the first two periods, this period was also boring but it picked up as it went on as the Penguins were throwing everything at the net as Forsberg was up to the task.
Crosby and Artem Zub threw punches at each other late in the period and Ottawa's Ridly Grieg took a hooking penalty with three seconds left in the period which gave the Penguins a rare overtime powerplay.
To overtime we go! pic.twitter.com/PuDmyCZcol
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 30, 2025
Overtime
The Penguins had the puck in the offensive zone for what felt like the entire powerplay as Crosby ended this one rather quickly at the 1:16 mark.
Along with another Crosby point and a Penguins overtime winner, this was a successful game for the kids. They got to play in top six roles, both drove a lot of offensive play, and got significant ice time.
McGroarty finished with 3 shots on goal, 4 hits, 1 block, and 16:57 time on ice.
Koivunen finished with 2 shots on goal, 2 hits, 2 blocks, and 17:28 time on ice.
Both kids should be playing in the top six getting significant roles for the rest of the Penguins season as it will help prepare them for the AHL playoffs which they will be sent back for. Overall, a great game from the kids and the Penguins have a nice future in these two players.
Sidney Crosby, on the birthday boy Rutger McGroarty: “I thought he played well. He was in on the puck, in on the forecheck, created turnovers, had a couple of chances in around the net. He competed really hard.”
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 31, 2025