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Rally not enough as Penguins fall to Panthers 3-2 in Shootout

The Penguins had 7 powerplays and one super late in the third period as Rickard Rakell tied the game at 2 with 40 seconds to go, but it was not enough as the Penguins get one point and move on to Sunday against the Hurricanes.

ByTyler Miller|
Jan 3, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) celebrates after scoring against the Florida Panthers during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
Jan 3, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) celebrates after scoring against the Florida Panthers during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images | Rich Storry-Imagn Images

The Penguins started off the new year looking to get a huge win against the defending Stanley Cup Champions in their own barn, but the Penguins dropped this one in a shootout and secured one point in this road matchup 3-2 as Rakell's late goal was not enough.

First Period

There was not a lot of action in the first period, but the Penguins did look pretty good in this period despite neither team scoring. The Penguins put up 13 shots to the Panthers 10 and had quite the chance to score in the opening frame.

Panthers forward Sam Reinhart took a double minor high-sticking penalty at 9:18 of the first period when he caught Ryan Graves up high, but the Penguins were not successful on this man advantage as they came up empty.

The Penguins went into the second period with the Panthers tied at 0 and the one powerplay that they were unsuccessful on.

Second Period

This period is where the action really picked up, as the Penguins caught themselves giving up an early period goal yet again. As Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling sent a wrist shot to the net and scored. It was one Tristan Jarry definitely wants back, but nonetheless, it was 1-0 Panthers.

But the Penguins captain had the answer about 10 minutes later. The Penguins got another powerplay as Panthers forward AJ Greer took a double minor high-sticking penalty and Crosby made him pay at 11:09 of the second as Bryan Rust found Crosby with a sick pass and then Crosby buried it.

The Penguins and Panthers went into the third period tied at 1 in this crucial game.

Third Period

The Panthers finally took the lead again mid third period as Penguins defenseman PO Joseph took a weak cross-checking penalty which sent the Panthers to the man advantage. Matthew Tkachuk made the Penguins pay as his tally made it 2-1 Panthers.

But Rickard Rakell had the late answer on the Penguins late man advantage and tied the game up at 2 and sent it to overtime.

Overtime solved nothing and neither Rakell or Crosby could beat Spencer Knight and the Penguins dropped this one in a shootout but did pick up a crucial point before heading to Raleigh.

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