DeSmith has 52-save shutout, Penguins defeat Bruins to gain in Metro

PITTSBURGH -- Casey DeSmith made an NHL career-high 52 saves for the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 4-0 win against the Boston Bruins at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday.

It was DeSmith's third shutout of the season and ninth in 79 NHL starts. His previous career high of 48 saves came in a 5-3 win against Boston on Dec. 14, 2018.
"I felt like I'm up to the task," DeSmith said. "Obviously, a 52-save shutout always builds the confidence a little bit. Coming into this game, I felt like I was prepared. I've been working for this moment for a long time."
Jake Guentzel got his second hat trick of the season for the Penguins (44-23-11), who have won three of five following a four-game losing streak. They played for the first time since Saturday, when DeSmith made 27 saves in a 2-1 loss to the Bruins.
Pittsburgh is third in the Metropolitan Division, two points ahead of the Washington Capitals.

Jeremy Swayman made 28 saves for the Bruins (47-25-5), who have lost four of six. They had won two in a row entering Thursday.
Boston is fourth in the Atlantic Division, one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning, and two points ahead of Washington for the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
"They made some plays. Unfortunately, I couldn't come up with the stop," Swayman said. "I just want to make sure I'm doing whatever I can to help this team win. Learned some good things today."
Guentzel gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead at 7:49 of the first period. He took a pass from Sidney Crosby along the blue line while entering the Bruins zone and stickhandled around Charlie Coyle to the slot for a wrist shot.
"I just think he's a great player," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "I think he's quietly emerged as one of the superstars of the League. I think he's one of the best goal-scorers in the League. He shows it year in and year out."
Jason Zucker scored on the Penguins' first shot on goal of the second period to make it 2-0 at 6:10, receiving a stretch pass from Jeff Carter for a breakaway. It was Zucker's second goal in seven games since having core muscle surgery Jan. 25.
Pittsburgh was outshot 10-0 in the period before Zucker's goal.
"We knew they'd be good in the first. They were," Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said. "The start of the second was excellent. We needed a nice play."
Guentzel made it 3-0 at 16:12, shooting from a sharp angle off a pass Kris Letang sent above the crease.
Guentzel completed the hat trick with an empty-net goal from the opposite blue line for the 4-0 final at 17:55 of the third period. The forward has scored 40 goals in 72 games this season, tying his NHL career-high from 2018-19.
"You put a lot of time and effort into this game," said Guentzel, who has scored seven goals in his past four games. "Just to score goals in this league is pretty special. I'm fortunate to play alongside really good players. Just have a good surrounding crew with coaches and teammates and staff, so it's just a cool milestone."

DeSmith made 41 saves in the final two periods. He started a second straight game in place of Tristan Jarry, who is week to week with a lower-body injury.
"Yes, he made some good saves. You can't take that credit away from him," Boston forward Patrice Bergeron said. "But at the same time, I think we can be better at bearing down when we do have those good looks."
NOTES: DeSmith's 52 saves are the most during a shutout in Penguins history, passing Jean-Sebastien Aubin's 45 on March 9, 2004. He started for the fourth time in five games after starting 17 of Pittsburgh's first 73 games this season. … Boston was 0-for-2 on the power play. It has not scored on 29 straight chances since converting its only opportunity against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 2. … Guentzel has five hat tricks in the regular season and two in the playoffs. … Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin completed a four-game suspension for cross-checking Nashville Predators defenseman Mark Borowiecki on April 10. He will be eligible to return at the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. … Carter left with a lower-body injury late in the third period. He was being evaluated following the game, Sullivan said.