In the 2009-10 campaign, the Penguins and the Panthers played into overtime or a shootout in three of their four meetings. Monday’s game seemed destined to end that way, with the Panthers clawing their way back from a two-goal deficit to leave the teams tied at 2-2 halfway through the third period.



That is, until the recently recalled Chris Conner made his presence known.



The right winger’s tally with 7:04 left in the final frame proved to be the game winner as the Penguins won the first game of their fifth annual 'Dad’s Trip' over the Panthers, 3-2.



The Penguins had come out flying, scoring two power-play goals in the first period to jump to an early 2-0 lead. But the Panthers weren’t ready to lie down, scoring with just 35 seconds left in the opening frame and tying the game midway through the second frame.



But strong, inspired play from the Penguins’ third line of Chris Conner, Mark Letestu and Tyler Kennedy spurred the Penguins to victory, with Conner tallying off the rush with 6:56 to play in regulation.



Pittsburgh's third-period relentlessness was also aided by goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who continued his confident play that has seen him go 5-0-1 over his last six starts by making a few big saves late in the game.

Chris Conner

The strong play of the Penguins’ third line of Chris Conner, Mark Letestu and Tyler Kennedy helped spur the Penguins to victory. Over the last few games, the trio has been using their speed and tenacity on the forecheck to bring energy and make plays, and their hard work paid off on Monday.



Since being called up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Conner has provided a spark for the Penguins in each of the six games he has spent with the Penguins this season, and Monday he was rewarded for his all-out hustle. He logged 10:57 of ice time and fired off three shots en route to scoring the game-winning goal – his first tally of the season – with 7:04 remaining in the third period.



Letestu started the rush that eventually resulted in Conner’s winner, carrying the puck deep into the Panthers zone. While fending off a defender, he managed to hook a pass to Conner, who one-timed the puck past Vokoun from the bottom of the near circle.