NHL: Tommy Novak scores OT winner as Penguins erase 3-goal hole vs. Bruins

Tommy Novak scored just 17 seconds into overtime, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins complete a stunning comeback from a 3-0 deficit to beat the visiting Boston Bruins 5-4 on Sunday.

Pittsburgh, playing without stars Sidney Crosby (injured) and Evgeni Malkin (suspended) for the second straight game, scored five of the final six goals to snap a three-game skid (0-2-1).

On the opening shift of overtime, Egor Chinakhov forced a turnover, drove to the net, won a puck battle, and Novak sprinted down the slot to bury the loose puck for the decisive goal.

Anthony Mantha scored twice in the third period, while Novak added a goal and an assist. Chinakhov and Connor Dewar also scored for Pittsburgh. Erik Karlsson contributed two assists, and Arturs Silovs made 24 saves.

Boston fell to 3-2-1 in its last six games despite Pavel Zacha’s second hat trick of the season and Joonas Korpisalo’s 34-save effort. David Pastrnak ended an eight-game scoring drought, and Viktor Arvidsson and Jonathan Aspirot each recorded two assists.

The Penguins dominated the shot clock, holding a 39-28 advantage, including 15-11 in the third period and overtime.

Boston initially threatened when former Penguin Noel Acciari hit the post in the opening minute. Zacha then gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 9:27 of the first period with a power-play goal, converting a cross-ice pass from Morgan Geekie.

Zacha extended Boston’s lead to 2-0 in the second period with a backhand shot over Silovs after Arvidsson set him up with a side-wall pass. Pastrnak made it 3-0 with his first goal since Jan. 27, capitalizing on a misplayed puck by Silovs behind the net.

The Penguins responded late in the second when Chinakhov scored during a 5-on-3 advantage, assisted by Rickard Rakell, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

In the third, Dewar’s backhand shot at 6:02 and Mantha’s quick follow-up at 6:35 tied the game at 3-3. Zacha completed his hat trick at 8:34, but Mantha’s second goal at 11:18 forced overtime.

Novak’s lightning-fast goal in OT sealed the comeback, giving the Penguins a memorable 5-4 win.

—Field Level Media/Reuters