Karlsson scores 49 seconds into OT, Penguins defeat Golden Knights

Erik Karlsson scored 49 seconds into overtime, and the Pittsburgh Penguins won 3-2 against the Vegas Golden Knights at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday.

Karlsson won it with a wrist shot from the right face-off circle for his ninth goal this season.

Noah Hanifin scored a tying goal for Vegas with seven seconds left in the third period on a one-timer from above the right circle set up by Mark Stone.

“Even though they came back, it still felt like we were in it,” Karlsson said.

Sidney Crosby scored twice in a second straight game, and Rickard Rakell had two assists for the Penguins (26-31-10), who have won two in a row after losing their previous four (0-3-1). Tristan Jarry made 35 saves.

Hanifin also had an assist, and Pavel Dorofeyev had a goal and an assist for the Golden Knights (38-19-7), who have lost their past two following four straight wins. Ilya Samsonov made 14 saves.

“We had a lot of looks in the third period,” Hanifin said. “Fortunately, we were able to capitalize there at the end, but their goalie made some good saves. But there were chances for us there, I think, in the third period.”

Jack Eichel had an assist to tie the Golden Knights record for points in a season at 78 (20 goals, 58 assists). William Karlsson set the mark in Vegas’ inaugural season of 2017-18

Crosby scored twice on Pittsburgh’s first six shots on goal.

The Penguins captain put them ahead 1-0 on a power play at 17:48 of the first period, dropping to one knee and chipping in a pass from Rakell just above the crease.

“They make a good play,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “We kind of read the play wrong and we leave a dangerous player open in front, and they buried it. It’s a good play by them, give them credit.”

Crosby then made it 2-0 at 3:02 of the second period, drifting into the right circle for a wrist shot through Samsonov’s five-hole and his 23rd goal this season.

He had scored four straight goals for Pittsburgh, including the final two of a 3-1 win at the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. It was the fourth time in 20 NHL seasons, and second time this season, he scored four consecutive team goals.

“I think, just as a line, we were creating some chances,” Crosby said. “[Rakell] made some great players out there. [Bryan Rust] was all over the puck. So, yeah, I think we were just opportunistic and good on pucks. Got chances because of it.”

Dorofeyev cut it to 2-1 on a power play at 14:29 on his 25th goal, a one-timer from the right circle set up by Hanifin.

Vladislav Kolyachonok came close to extending Pittsburgh’s lead at 19:42, when he sent a wrist shot off the right post with Samsonov down in the crease.

The Golden Knights then outshot the Penguins 19-4 in the third period.

“Obviously, a good push,” Vegas forward Tanner Pearson said. “I think our game was all right the whole night. Just couldn’t capitalize on our chances, really. Anytime we put up, what, 38 shots? Something like that? Usually, it works out for us.”

Jarry made 17 saves in the third before Hanifin’s goal. The expected Pittsburgh starter entering training camp, he has made 64 saves on 67 shots (.955 save percentage) in his first two starts since being recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on March 3.

“I just think he’s playing up to his capabilities,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “Obviously, he was the difference in the game tonight. I thought he was the difference in the game against Minnesota also. He has that ability.”