Karlsson, Penguins rally to defeat Maple Leafs

PITTSBURGH -- Erik Karlsson scored the go-ahead goal with 28 seconds remaining in the second period, and the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday.

Jake Guentzel and Noel Acciari also scored for the Penguins (10-10-0), who had lost four of five, including 3-2 at the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. Tristan Jarry made 31 saves with 12 in the third period.

“When our team’s playing at its best, we’re playing on our toes, we’re playing on top of teams,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. “I felt we did a much better job just battling, trying to play on our toes and play a little bit more of an in-your-face game.”

Tyler Bertuzzi and Matthew Knies scored for the Maple Leafs (10-6-3), who had earned at least one point in each of their previous five games (4-0-1). Joseph Woll made 32 saves.

Toronto forward Auston Matthews had five shots on goal in his 500th NHL game. He has two points (one goal, one assist) in his past six games.

“It was tight,” Matthews said. “A tough one to give up, last minute of the period there. Thought we had some looks to tie it up but just didn’t go in. I thought there was some good process throughout the game. It’s never going to be perfect. They’re a good team over there.”

Karlsson's sixth goal of the season, on a one-timer through traffic set up by Kris Letang, gave Pittsburgh a 3-2 lead.

“We stuck with it, got some big goals from some different guys,” Karlsson said. “The third, I think we weren’t afraid to go out there and play to win this game instead of being scared of losing it. It was a step forward for us.”

The Penguins were outshot 12-3 by the Maple Leafs in the third period but maintained the lead after allowing the Sabres to score three straight goals in the third Friday.

“I think we just defended a little bit harder,” Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby said. “We probably did a better job just making better decisions that didn’t allow them to get odd-man rushes or clean looks. When they did, ‘Jars’ made some big saves.”

Bertuzzi put Toronto ahead 1-0 at 3:59 of the first period, scoring at the right post on a rebound from John Tavares.

Guentzel took just 28 seconds to answer, tying it 1-1 with his seventh goal of the season at 4:27. Drew O’Connor passed from the high slot to Guentzel at the right post to tuck a shot into an open net.

Knies gave the Maple Leafs a 2-1 lead at 7:48. The rookie forward scored his sixth goal of the season on a rebound off Calle Jarnkrok’s wrist shot from the slot on a 3-on-2.

“I think they were a little heavier and played consistently throughout the whole 60,” Knies said. “I thought we were sloppy in the second period, just kind of gave up the chances. I thought we were chasing a little too much.”

Pittsburgh had a chance to tie it on a 5-on-3 that lasted 21 seconds after TJ Brodie was called for delay of game at 5:56 of the second period. They had one shot on goal across the two power plays.

Acciari tied it 2-2 at 10:01 of the second, intercepting a pass from Brodie behind the net and shooting from a sharp angle off Woll’s right shoulder and under the crossbar.

“To me, the tough one to give up was the second one,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. “Nearly full possession of that puck. Our [defense] gets [it] into our forwards’ hands and we have a chance at a very clean breakout, out we go. Instead, we give it back to the defenseman again and compound the problem. Ends up in the net. To me, that's the game."

NOTES: Karlsson scored his 34th game-winning goal in the NHL, tied with Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson for the second-most by an active defenseman, behind Brent Burns of the Carolina Hurricanes (42). … Penguins first-line right wing Bryan Rust missed a third straight game with a lower-body injury that has him day to day. Rust participated in a morning skate Friday. … Pittsburgh played Toronto for the first time since hiring Kyle Dubas, who was Maple Leafs general manager from 2018-23, as president of hockey operations June 1. … Maple Leafs forward Max Domi had three shots on goal in 11:16 of ice time in his 600th NHL game.