Bryan Rust has hat trick as Penguins score 6 in 3rd period to rout Canadiens
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Pittsburgh Penguins' goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) makes a glove save in front of Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher (11) and Penguins' Kris Letang (58) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Pittsburgh Penguins' Rickard Rakell (67) celebrates after his goal against the Montreal Canadiens with teammates Sidney Crosby (87), Matt Grzelcyk (24) and Kris Letang (58) during first-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Pittsburgh Penguins' Rickard Rakell (67) celebrates his goal over Montreal Canadiens' goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Pittsburgh Penguins' Kris Letang (58) grabs Montreal Canadiens' Josh Anderson (17) after he collides with Penguins' goaltender Tristan Jarry during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) skates past Montreal Canadiens' Mike Matheson (8) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Montreal Canadiens' goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) makes a save in front of Pittsburgh Penguins' Rickard Rakell (67) and Bryan Rust (17) as Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj (72) and Josh Anderson (17) defend during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Pittsburgh Penguins' Bryan Rust (17) celebrates after his goal against the Montreal Canadiens with teammate Pittsburgh Penguins' Rickard Rakell (67) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
MONTREAL — Bryan Rust scored three goals, and the Pittsburgh Penguins scored six times in the third period to rout the Montreal Canadiens 9-2 Thursday night.
Rust scored twice in the second period and again midway through the third for his sixth career hat trick. Rickard Rakell had two goals and two assists for Pittsburgh.
Kris Letang, Anthony Beauvillier, Matt Nieto and Noel Acciari also scored in the third as fans at Bell Centre booed and left early.
Sidney Crosby had three assists to reach 1,026 in his career and surpass Gordie Howe (1,023) for fifth most with one NHL franchise.
Tristan Jarry stopped 21 shots, bouncing back after allowing five goals in Pittsburgh’s 6-2 loss Tuesday to Colorado. The Penguins have won six of eight.
Nick Suzuki and Joel Armia scored for Montreal, which wrapped up a 3-2 homestand.
Sam Montembeault made 20 saves on 26 shots in his fifth straight start before getting the hook after allowing three third-period goals. Cayden Primeau stopped six of nine in relief.
Penguins: Rust scored twice in a span of 3:24 midway through the second period as Pittsburgh built a 3-1 lead. The Penguins entered the third with a 3-2 advantage.
Letang set up Rust on the power play 4:18 into the first period to tie the game at 1-all. The play made up for a costly turnover that led to Suzuki’s opening goal two minutes in.
Penguins at Ottawa on Saturday night.
