Sidney Crosby Explains Why Penguins Were ‘Pretty Motivated’ Ahead Of Final Global Series Game

The Pittsburgh Penguins split the Global Series Sweden games against the Nashville Predators over the weekend.

Pittsburgh lost 2-1 in overtime on Friday, in a game Nashville tied it with just 1:10 left in the third period. The Predators scored the winner just 44 seconds into overtime.

After blowing their lead on Friday, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said the team came in extra motivated to play well and at least split the two games.

“I think we were pretty motivated coming off the last game, the way it finished,” Crosby said after Sunday’s win, via NHL.com. “Didn’t feel like we played our best, and to have it finish the way it did, I think we were just motivated to bounce back. I thought it showed.”

The Penguins’ motivation showed as Pittsburgh led 3-0 after the first period. Pittsburgh ended up cruising to a 4-0 shutout win in a game that Sergei Murashov stopped all 21 shots he faced.

Penguins star defenseman Erik Karlsson also echoed Crosby’s comments as he felt like the team was frustrated with their performance on Friday.

“I don’t think as a group we performed the way that we wanted to (on Friday),” Karlsson said. “I think everybody felt that. Our first period was huge, being able to capitalize on a few chances and get an early lead. And I think for the rest of the game, we did a good job at managing the situations out there.”

By taking three of four points in Sweden, Pittsburgh is now 10-5-4 and in third place in the Metropolitan Division.

The Penguins will return to the ice on Friday at home against the Minnesota Wild.

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