Forward Jared McCann leads Penguins past Flyers

When forward Jason Zucker suffered a gruesome left leg injury approximately a week and a half ago, a considerable void was created in the Penguins’ lineup.

The left wing on this team’s second line, typically centered by Evgeni Malkin, is a pretty prominent assignment.

Whether it be Ryan Malone or Jussi Jokinen or Carl Hagelin, the people who assume that role are expected to make an impact.

So with Zucker, a perennial 20-goal threat, absent, the Penguins needed an immediate replacement who could feed off of Malkin’s considerable skills.

Fortunately for them, neither a trade nor a recall from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was required.

They had an in-house option already available. He just had to get healthy.

Just as Zucker was placed on injured reserve, Jared McCann was coming off that list after missing seven games with an undisclosed ailment.

In the five games he has been in the lineup, he has produced four points, including three goals.

His most recent goal proved to be the deciding score in Saturday’s 4-3 comeback win against the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena.

At 10 minutes, 41 seconds of the third period, he cleaned up a rebound during a scoring sequence that was initiated by an offensive zone entry by Malkin.

“He’s feeling confident,” said forward Bryan Rust. “You can see it in his game. He’s using his skating ability to his advantage, whether it’s getting to loose pucks, getting on the forecheck, trying to find that open space. You saw it on his goal there. He just kind of used his skating to get to that rebound and put it in.”

Saturday’s game featured a lot of skating by both sides as well as several penalties and a handful of lead changes.

The Flyers claimed a 1-0 lead 6:08 into regulation. Off an ugly offensive zone turnover by Penguins forward Sam Lafferty, Flyers forward Scott Laughton created a two-on-none rush that resulted in forward Travis Konecny scoring his sixth goal of the season in easy fashion against goaltender Tristan Jarry, who finished with 19 saves.

Less than two minutes later, Malkin collected his fifth goal on a power play at 7:54 of the first period, tucking in a backhand wraparound from the left of the cage.

Another power-play score, this time by Rust at 18:01 of the first period, gave the Penguins their first lead. Off some precision passing, Rust swept in his eighth goal with a forehand shot from the right of the crease.

Going 2 for 3, the Penguins were able to score multiple power-play goals for only the second time this season.

“When (the players on the power play) are at their best, they’re trusting their instincts, and they’re playing collectively as a group,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “I thought they were a difference in the game (today). They have the ability to be that for us.”

The Flyers’ power play made difference when forward Kevin Hayes scored his eighth goal on the man advantage 1:20 into the second period.

An even-strength goal by defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, his third, at 12:04 of the second put the Flyers up 3-2.

The Penguins forged another tie late in the second at the 18:10 mark. After helping to force a turnover in the Flyers’ zone, forward Zach Aston-Reese threw a bad-angle shot on net from the right corner that slipped under goaltender Brian Elliott’s left leg for his fourth goal.

McCann’s fifth goal of the season, off a scramble above the crease, put the Penguins in position to earn an important win against their rivals.

“Jared’s a great player,” said forward Brandon Tanev, who had primary assists on the Penguins’ final two goals. “He’s got a knack for the net. He’s got a tremendous shot, and I think he’s got great confidence right now. He’s feeling the puck. He’s shooting the puck well.

“When you have one or two go in, you understand. Right now, he’s playing the right way. He’s playing a full 200-foot game, and he’s being a great teammate. It’s showing out there. He’s getting rewarded.”