The Penguins beat the Devils 4-2 on Saturday afternoon to sweep the three-game series against the Devils at PPG Paints Arena.
The win gives the Penguins temporary possession of first place in the East Division with 65 points, at least until tonight's game between the Capitals and the Islanders. The Capitals sit one point behind the Penguins with 64 points, and the Islanders trail by two with 63 points. If the Islanders win in regulation, the Penguins have the tiebreaker and would remain in first place. If the Capitals win, they move back into sole possession of first place. If the Islanders win in overtime or a shootout, then all three teams would be in a three-way tie in points. The Penguins and Capitals are matched in regulation wins -- the first tiebreaker -- but the Penguins now have a one-game edge in the next tiebreaker, regulation/overtime (no shootout) wins.
Jeff Carter opened the scoring in the game midway through the first period with his second goal as a Penguin and his second in three games. Jason Zucker and Mike Matheson earned assists, giving Matheson 11 points in his last 13 games.
Jared McCann's power play goal less than three minutes later extended the Penguins' lead, with Jake Guentzel and Kris Letang picking up helpers.
Bryan Rust redirected Cody Ceci's shot in the second period to reach the 20-goal mark for the second time in his career. Ceci's assist extended his team-leading point streak to five games. Guentzel earned the other assist when he also redirected Ceci's shot on the way in, his second primary assist of the night.
Jack Hughes got the Devils on the board midway through the second period, and Miles Wood made it a one-goal game in the third period.
Zucker and New Jersey's Nick Merkley dropped the gloves in the third period after Zucker flattened Marian Studenic with a massive hit in the neutral zone.
Sidney Crosby scored an empty net goal in the final tenth of a second of the game, his 20th goal of the season.
Casey DeSmith earned the win with 34 saves on 36 shots.
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