MONTREAL — Two dominant storylines in the early part of the Penguins’ season were their play in the second halves of back-to-backs and the struggles of goalie Antti Niemi.
Fast-forward five months, and those two forces were at play again Thursday night. Only this time it was Niemi taking a loss in a different uniform, and the Penguins earning a big two points on the second leg of a back-to-back.
The Penguins bounced back from a disappointing finish in New York Wednesday to beat the Canadiens, 5-3, Thursday night and keep pace with Washington in the divisional race.