ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Pittsburgh Penguins ended their four-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on March 9, 2025. Captain Sidney Crosby scored two goals, leading his team to success against the Wild, who continue to struggle at home. This game was particularly special for Marc-Andre Fleury, who faced his old team for what is expected to be the final time.
Despite being on the losing end of the score, the 40-year-old Fleury, who played the first 13 seasons of his NHL career with Pittsburgh, made 19 saves. He crossed another career milestone during the match, surpassing Roberto Luongo for the second spot on the NHL's all-time starts list with 1,015 games played.
Tristan Jarry, making his first start since being recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, also played impressively, stopping 29 shots and securing his first win of the season since December 23, 2024.
Evgeni Malkin opened the scoring for the Penguins late in the second period, putting the puck past Fleury with just four minutes remaining. Malkin’s goal, assisted by Kris Letang, marked his 13th of the season and added to the team's advantage as they sought to climb the standings.
Crosby doubled the Penguins’ advantage with a rebound goal early in the third period, stunning the Minnesota crowd. Only 5:06 left in the game, Ryan Hartman scored for Minnesota during a four-on-one rush, narrowing the gap and giving the home team hope.
With 1:13 left, Crosby secured the win with an empty-net goal, sealing the victory for Pittsburgh and sending Minnesota to their fifth loss out of seven games.
"It felt good to get the win. The guys really pulled together, and it’s about time we put one together," Crosby remarked after the game, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and resilience.
The Wild, facing continued struggles, now hold a 14-14-1 record at home, showcasing stark differences from their impressive 22-10-3 road record this season. This inconsistency at Xcel Energy Center continues to hinder their playoff aspirations, as they remain firm within the top wild-card spot.
Key moments highlighted the Penguins’ recent improvements, including their power play efficiency which has climbed to 23.9%, ranking 9th overall. Despite their solid performance during the season, Pittsburgh's draft positioning was also buoyed by recent struggles from both the team and competitors, now sitting fifth overall as they look to the future.
Head Coach Mike Sullivan celebrated his 400th win with the franchise during this game, becoming only the 14th coach in NHL history to achieve this milestone with one team. This success under his guidance provides hope for the Penguins as they look to build momentum.
The upcoming schedule sees Pittsburgh starting a homestand against the Vegas Golden Knights, where they aim to implement strategies refined from this match, leveraging momentum gained from snapping their losing streak.
This game holds significant importance for Penguins fans, not only due to the victory but the nostalgia associated with Fleury's last matchup against his former team. Fleury was pivotal during his time with Pittsburgh, helping to secure three Stanley Cup championships.
Looking forward, the Penguins continue to face challenges, yet their resilience showcased against the Wild offers glimmers of hope for the remainder of the season. With knack for finding new talent and integrating players like newly acquired Tommy Novak and Connor Dewar, they look to mold the squad for enhanced performance.
The Minnesota Wild will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next matchup against the Colorado Avalanche, aiming to shift their fortunes as they venture back on the ice.
Both franchises have rich histories and intense rivalries surrounding their matchups, ensuring future encounters remain pivotal for player legacies and team aspirations alike.
The Penguins’ victory is celebrated as they regain some confidence moving forward, highlighting the highs and lows of NHL competition, especially during the playoff push.