Ville Koivunen makes NHL debut, Sidney Crosby gets OT winner as Penguins beat Senators

Matt Vensel, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Mar 30, 2025

Published in Hockey

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PITTSBURGH — Rookie forwards Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty gave the Penguins a jolt and some quality minutes Sunday. Tristan Jarry had a bounce-back performance between the pipes. And Sidney Crosby scored the overtime winner as the Penguins beat the Ottawa Senators, 1-0, at PPG Paints Arena.

With the Penguins on a power play to open OT, Crosby finally got a shot past Senators goalie Anton Forsberg. He scored on a one-timer 1:16 into the extra session.

Koivunen made his NHL debut Sunday, with his parents and girlfriend in the house at PPG Paints Arena. They flew in from Finland when they learned he would play.

The 21-year-old winger, who skated on the second line and logged over 17 minutes of ice time, didn’t notch a point in his first NHL game but he did some good things.

On his first shift, Koivunen forechecked hard and showed a glimpse of the vision and playmaking that have the Penguins so excited. Later in the first period, he may have prevented a goal with his stick lift on Drake Batherson — a much bigger man.

Koivunen attempted seven shots during regulation, getting two of them through.

McGroarty also had an encouraging outing in his first NHL game since October. The winger played on Crosby’s left wing and didn’t look out of place in a top-line role. His work on the forecheck and attention to detail on defense stood out most, reloading in the offensive zone and doing little things that will please his coaches.

The birthday boy let his best opportunity to score roll off the toe of his blade, on a 2-on-1 rush with Kevin Hayes. But throughout the game McGroarty, now 21, made a bunch of short but decisive passes that got his line headed in the right direction.

Jarry, who was pulled in his previous two starts, bounced back with a strong effort. He was tested early and often against the Senators, who are trying to lock in their first playoff appearance since 2016-17. He made 31 saves for his first shutout of the season.

Around the boards

— Koivunen became the fifth player to make his NHL debut with the Penguins this season. He joined McGroarty, Owen Pickering, Nate Clurman and Joel Blomqvist.

— With the winning goal, Crosby extended his personal point streak to 10 games.

— Evgeni Malkin missed his third straight game due to injury. In his absence, Rickard Rakell centered the second line. It was Rakell’s second game at center this season.

— During the first TV timeout, the Penguins aired the latest video tribute for Crosby, who on Thursday established a new NHL record for career point-per-game seasons.

— Koivunen was the 42nd player to suit up for the Penguins this season. That is the highest total of Crosby’s career and the team’s most since the 1987-88 campaign.

— Vladislav Kolyachonok was a scratch. He sat out for the first time since March 2.

Coming up next

The Penguins will practice Monday afternoon at PPG Paints Arena. Their next game is Thursday in St. Louis. It is the start of another three-game road trip for the team.

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