Jarry, Penguins hold off Rangers in one-goal shutout to end skid

PITTSBURGH -- Tristan Jarry made 27 saves to help the Pittsburgh Penguins end a three-game losing streak with a 1-0 win against the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday.

The shutout was Jarry's NHL career-high fourth of the season and 11th in 136 NHL starts. On Thursday, he was pulled for the first time this season, in the second period of a 6-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils after allowing five goals on 19 shots.
"The last three games haven't been my best and haven't been the team's best," Jarry said. "Giving up a lot of quality chances. Just being able to not make the timely saves that I need. Being able to do that I think really helped. The guys did a great job in front."

Evgeni Malkin scored on the power play at 5:09 of the third period for the Penguins (32-14-8), who were outscored 14-5 in the three straight losses.
Igor Shesterkin made 25 saves for the Rangers (33-14-5), who were 5-0-1 in their previous six games. He has not allowed more than two goals in seven straight starts.
"I thought it was a hard-working game for both teams," New York coach Gerard Gallant said. "Great goaltending, obviously, by both teams. It's a good hockey game. It's too bad one goal decided it. The longer the game went 0-0 …. it felt like a playoff battle, for sure."
Malkin gave Pittsburgh the lead by dropping to one knee for a one-timer from the right face-off circle set up by a backhand pass from Bryan Rust. Malkin has scored eight goals in 18 games since returning Jan. 11 from offseason knee surgery and six points (three goals, three assists) on a five-game point streak.
The goal was Malkin's 75th NHL game-winner, which passed Mario Lemieux for second in Penguins history. Jaromir Jagr is first with 78.
"'Geno' is so instinctive," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "He's able to do things with the puck that most guys can't. I think that's what makes him the generational talent that he is."

Jarry made five saves on a Rangers power play after Marcus Pettersson was called for cross-checking at 8:20.
"Both guys were awesome tonight," Pittsburgh forward Jeff Carter said. "[Jarry] made some huge saves for us at really key times. He was a huge part of our win. On the flip side, it's not fun going against that guy (Shesterkin), he's a heck of a goalie."
Sidney Crosby nearly put the Penguins ahead at 5:27 of the second period. After Rangers defenseman Adam Fox blocked a shot by Jake Guentzel, the puck went to Crosby in the slot for a wrist shot Shesterkin saved.
Shesterkin denied Pittsburgh again at 7:51, doing a split for a glove save on a snap shot from Danton Heinen.
"I thought it was a more physical game than some games we've had in the recent stretch here," New York forward Barclay Goodrow said. "It was fun. It was the closest to a playofflike physicality that we've had. Tight checking. I think both teams allowed under 30 shots. It could've gone either way. There's a lot of good to take away."
Pettersson broke up a chance for Ryan Strome at 12:31. Jacob Trouba attempted a pass to Strome alone just outside the crease, but Pettersson dove to prevent a chance to shoot at an open net.
"I think they played a better second period," Trouba said. "We were expecting them to push back. It's a good team. It was a good game. Both goalies played well. It's a 1-0 game. I'm not saying we deserved to win, but it could've gone either way. It's one of those games you don't think about much. Kind of move on."
NOTES: Penguins defenseman Mike Matheson, who is week to week, missed his first game with an upper-body injury. Pittsburgh used the same six defensemen in 40 straight games before Matheson's injury. … Defenseman Mark Friedman had one shot on goal and one block in 12:11 of ice time during his first game with Pittsburgh since Jan. 8, when the Penguins used 11 forwards and seven defensemen against the Dallas Stars. Friedman was recalled from a conditioning assignment with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Friday. … New York was shut out for the first time since Dec. 12, a 1-0 loss to the Nashville Predators.