Evgeni Malkin's tip lifts Penguins past Rangers in 3OTs in Game 1

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Louis Domingue didn't know what to think when he saw teammate and starting goalie Casey DeSmith skate to the bench midway through the second overtime period.

Domingue stepped in and made 17 saves, and Evgeni Malkin scored on a deflection 5:58 into the third overtime, giving the Pittsburgh Penguins a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Tuesday night.

"I saw him go to the bench and I wasn't sure why they blew the whistle," Domingue said of DeSmith, who left with what the Penguins said was a lower-body injury. "I know both of the referees that were there, Jonny Murray and Frederick L'Ecuyer, both French guys. I honestly thought they were joking with me — they were saying I had to go in. After that, I just go out and played. It's crazy, but I guess that's my life. It's hockey."

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Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the New York Rangers during the third overtime in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Tuesday, May 3, 2022, in New York. The Penguins won 4-3.  (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

On the winning goal, Malkin was positioned in front of the net when he tipped a long shot by John Marino over Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin.

"We know we can win every game if we play right, we play smart, we play hard," said Malkin who also had an assist on Bryan Rust’s tying goal late in the second period. "I think we deserved to win tonight."

Jake Guentzel scored twice and Rust and Sidney Crosby each had two assists for the Penguins. DeSmith had 48 saves before leaving.

Chris Kreider