Kessel strong in Pens debut
PITTSBURGH – Fans at Consol Energy Center got a sneak peek at the new-look Penguins lineup Tuesday night and it did not disappoint.
Newly-acquired right winger Phil Kessel scored two goals in his debut and center Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists as Pittsburgh defeated Carolina 7-3 in a preseason game.
Kessel had goals in the first and second periods – both assisted by Crosby and left winger Chris Kunitz. In his first game back from a concussion suffered last season, defenseman Kris Letang scored on a wrist shot a little over four mintues in.
The Hurricanes answered before Olli Maata, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, gave the Penguins the 2-1 lead.
Daniel Sprong and Sergei Gonchar also scored. Center Evgeni Malkin had two assists and Letang had three.
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury played the first two periods, allowing three goals on 25 shots, and Matthew Murray stopped all six shots he faced in the third period.