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With a considerable chunk of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s roster either injured or playing up in Pittsburgh, offense hasn’t always been able to come by for the Penguins.
On Friday night in Hartford, they managed just 23 shots on goal against the Wolf Pack — no more than eight in a single period.
They made them count.
Matt Murray shined in net and got some solid play from the defense in front of him as the Penguins held on for a 3-1 win over Hartford at XL Center.
Murray finished with 26 saves as the Penguins turned back a late rally attempt by the Wolf Pack to remain atop the Atlantic Division standings.
Kael Mouillierat struck first, picking up his 10th goal of the season midway through the first period, converting a feed from Josh Archibald.
Anton Zlobin scored what proved to be the game-winner on the power play in the second period on helpers from Will O’Neill and Mouillierat.
But Hartford broke Murray’s shutout bid with 9:34 left in regulation when Nicklas Jensen scored to pull the Wolf Pack within striking distance.
Sahir Gill iced the game for the Penguins in the final seconds with an empty-netter.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton killed off all four Hartford power plays to preserve the win. The Penguins went 1-for-3 with the man-advantage.
The Penguins return home for the rest of the weekend for a two-game set with Portland. Saturday’s game starts at 7:05 p.m. and the Pirates will be right back at Mohegan Sun Arena for a 4:05 p.m. game on Sunday.
Notes: Winger Tyler Biggs returned to the lineup after a long layoff from an injury for the Penguins and recorded one shot. … Goalie Brian Foster was returned to ECHL Wheeling before the game.
Penguins 3, Hartford 1
Penguins`1`1`1`—`3
Hartford`0`0`1`—`1
First period — 1. Penguins, Mouillierat 10 (Archibald), 11:21. Penalties — Mouillierat WBS (interference), 3:30; McCarthy HAR (hooking), 6:45; McCarron WBS (interference), 14:21.
Second period — 2. Penguins, Zlobin 2 (O’Neill, Mouillierat), 8:41 (PP). Penalties — Graves HAR (delay of game), 7:22; served by Loney WBS (bench minor – delay of game), 8:41; Murray WBS (unsportsmanlike conduct), 10:41.
Third period — 3. Hartford, Jensen 9 (Hrivik, Adam), 10:26. 4. Penguins, Gill 5 (Rowney, McNeill), 19:47 (EN). Penalties-Hughes HAR (hooking), 4:51.
Shots on goal — Penguins 7-8-8-23; Hartford 11-9-7-27.
Power-play opportunities — Penguins 1-3; Hartford 0-4.
Goalies — Penguins, Murray 19-8-0 (27 shots-26 saves); Hartford, Hellberg 17-13-0 (22 shots-20 saves).
Referees — Terry Koharski, Furman South. Linesmen — Frank Murphy, Paul Simeon.
A — 4,916