Sergei Murashov, Penguins show improvement but lose in OT to Kraken

Sergei Murashov promised a response on behalf of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

And sure enough, they offered something to respond to.

But not in a positive enough fashion.

The 21-year-old rookie goaltender unofficially made 18 saves on 21 shots as the Penguins were defeated by the Seattle Kraken, 3-2, in overtime Saturday at PPG Paints Arena. His record slipped to 1-1-1.

Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour’s fourth goal of the season at 4 minutes, 8 seconds of overtime was the difference.

A victory was badly needed as the Penguins entered the contest on a 2-4-2 skid. But with regard to a more finite focus, the Penguins were hoping to salve their spirits after a bowling shoe-ugly 5-0 home loss to the Minnesota Wild on Friday.

After thanking the fans who stayed for the duration of Friday’s disheartening contest, Murashov made a vow.

“We’re a group of professionals,” Murashov said. “It’s going to be a really good response (Saturday).”

The sentiment was appreciated by his coach.

“He’s a very genuine person,” Dan Muse said before Saturday’s game. “Everything he’s saying there is he’s being himself, and he’s speaking what’s on his mind. He does have belief in that. As we should. The way our game was (Friday) night, that is absolutely the expectation is that it’s going to be a much better game tonight for us.”

Following a scoreless first period, Kraken forward Mason Marchment opened the scoring with his second goal 84 seconds into the second frame.

Penguins rookie forward Ben Kindel tried to lead a rush out of the defensive zone and made a weak pass attempt to the right wing intended for linemate Sam Poulin. Marchment snatched away the puck with ease and converted that charity by ripping a wrister from the left circle to the far side under Murashov’s blocker. Marchment provided a bit of levity for the home fans by tripping to the ice while celebrating on the near boards. There were no assists.

Forward Sidney Crosby got the hosts on the scoreboard with his team-leading 13th goal at 16:16 of the second period.

Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer settled a dump-in behind his net and tried to rim a backhand pass to the left wing. The only problem with those designs was the puck wound up on the stick of Penguins forward Connor Dewar, who immediately centered a pass to the top of the crease, where Crosby buried an easy forehand shot into a mostly vacant cage. Dewar was deemed worthy of the only assist.

The Penguins took their first lead of the contest during a power-play sequence at 5:56 of the third period via forward Evgeni Malkin’s sixth goal.

Accepting a feed low to the right of the cage, Malkin forced a pass attempt to the front of the crease intended for Penguins forward Bryan Rust in the far circle but Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson slid down to block the puck. After Kraken defenseman Ryan Lindgren was unable to clear the rebound, Kindel and Malkin each jabbed at it within the blue paint before the latter was able to guide a forehand shot past Grubauer’s left leg. Kindel and Crosby collected assists.

Off a cross-ice pass from Marchment, Kraken forward Matty Beniers surveyed from the right circle of the offensive zone and elevated a wrister over sliding Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves and past Murashov’s left shoulder on the near side. Marchment and defenseman Ryker Evans registered assists.

Notes: Penguins defenseman Matt Dumba was in the lineup after being a healthy scratch in seven of the previous eight games. … Penguins defensemen Harrison Brunicke and Parker Wotherspoon, along with forward Philip Tomasino, were healthy scratches. … Penguins forward Blake Lizotte appeared in his 400th career game. … Former Penguins forward Jared McCann and goaltender Matt Murray were not in the lineup for the Kraken as undisclosed ailments have landed them on injured reserve.