Penguins/Red Wings Recap: No one can stop Mantha and Rakell; Pens win 5-1
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 31: Anthony Mantha #39 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates after scoring a goal in the first period during the game against the Detroit Red Wings at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 31, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images Pregame The Penguins welcome Evgeni Malkin back from a four-game absence with a hand injury, but they have a scratch so late it doesn’t make the lineup card. Bryan Rust does NOT play tonight after taking warmup, his lower body injury keeps him out so Avery Hayes is in the game in place with the top lines all scrambled around at the last moment.
Welcome back, Geno! 🤩 pic. twitter.
com/LnQp4CciSg — Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 31, 2026 The visiting Red Wings bring the following lineup to town. Lineup in PIT. #LGRW pic.
twitter. com/T5q8DTPCZB — Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 31, 2026 First period Great start for the Penguins, who are able to keep the momentum from last night’s seven-straight goals to close the game against the Islanders going for a while longer. Pittsburgh strikes 4:19 in, Sidney Crosby wins a puck off the wall and centers for Rickard Rakell.
Rakell patiently waits and holds, traffic builds in front of the net and Rakell shoots back against the grain to the top corner. 1-0 Pens. That's 20 goals this season for Raks, who has points in 13 of his last 14 games (9G-9A) 💪 pic.
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