(Reuters) - The Pittsburgh Penguins survived a nail-biting third period to hold off the NHL-leading Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Tuesday.
Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made 36 saves and kept the visitors at bay during a power-play in the closing 90 seconds. Pittsburgh (19-11-4) were playing without Sidney Crosby for a sixth consecutive game while Kris Letang was also absent.
The Penguins took a 1-0 lead on Chris Kunitz's first-period wrist shot and padded the advantage to 3-0 with scores from James Neal and Tyler Kennedy in the second.
The tide turned early in the third when Jonathan Toews netted a backhand 49 seconds into the period. Viktor Stalberg turned the heat on the Pens with his goal at 6:12 in the final period as Chicago (21-9-4) peppered the Pittsburgh net.
However, the Blackhawks, who outshot the Penguins 19-4 in the period, could not find the equalizer and saw their five-game win streak come to an end.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
