Penguins vs. San Jose Sharks: Jan. 2, 2022

After a two week pause due to players on the COVID list, the Pens take on the Sharks at the PPG Paints Arena in the team’s first game of 2022. See scenes from their return by PG photographer Matt Freed.

Pens defeats Sharks 8-5.

Penguins center Evan Rodrigues celebrates his first goal of the game against the Sharks in the first period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Penguins center Sidney Crosby congratulates right winger Bryan Rust after he scored a hat trick against the Sharks in the third period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Penguins center Evan Rodrigues celebrates his hat trick against the Sharks in the third period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Penguins center Evan Rodrigues heads back to the bench after his hat trick against the Sharks in the third period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Penguins right winger Bryan Rust celebrates his hat trick against the Sharks in the third period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Sharks center Logan Couture scores against Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith in the third period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Penguins center Sidney Crosby works against Sharks defenseman Brent Burns in the third period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Penguins right winger Bryan Rust heads back to the bench after his hat trick against the Sharks in the third period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Penguins left winger Zach Aston-Reese reaches for the puck as defenseman John Marino pushes away Sharks left winger Alexander Barabanov in the second period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Penguins center Evan Rodrigues celebrates his second goal of the game against Sharks goaltender James Reimer in the first period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Penguins left winger Jake Guentzel congratulates right winger Bryan Rust on his goal against the Sharks in the first period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Penguins right winger Kasper Bjorkqvist scores against Sharks goaltender James Reimer in the first period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith reaches to make a save against the Sharks in the second period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Penguins center Sidney Crosby watches as a shot by right winger Bryan Rust gets by Sharks goaltender James Reimer for a goal in the first period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)

 

Penguins center Evan Rodrigues celebrates his first goal of the game against the Sharks in the first period, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)