The Bruins beat the Penguins 2-1 as Khusnutdinov, Mittelstadt score 50 seconds apart

BOSTON (AP) — Marat Khusnutdinov and Casey Mittelstadt scored less than a minute apart early in the first period and the Boston Bruins held on for a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.

Pittsburgh's Erik Karlsson scored just 42 seconds into the game, but Khusnutdinov tied it at 1-1 when he snapped the puck high inside the far post past Penguins goalie Stuart Skinner for his 13th goal of the season at 5:10 of the first.

Mittelstadt added his 13th of the season 50 seconds later when he gathered in the rebound of Nikita Zadorov's shot and fired past a diving Skinner and into an open net. Jeremy Swayman made 34 saves.

Karlsson scored on the Penguins' first shot on goal after the Bruins had two excellent scoring chances in the first few seconds requiring solid saves by Skinner. The Bruins challenged for goalie interference but the goal was upheld. Skinner finished with 26 saves.

The Bruins came in having lost three of their last four games — two in the shootout — but have now won 11 consecutive home games to remain in the hunt for a wild-card playoff spot.

Charlie McAvoy's nine-game point streak came to end. The Olympian joined Ray Bourque as only the second Bruins defenseman in the last 40 years with a nine-game point streak.

Penguins: Host Buffalo on Thursday night.

Bruins: Visit Nashville on Thursday night.

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Boston Bruins center Fraser Minten (93) hits Pittsburgh Penguins center Connor Dewar with his stick during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) makes a save on a shot by Pittsburgh Penguins center Ben Kindel (81) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Stuart Skinner, left, makes a save on a shot by Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins center Marat Khusnutdinov (92) is congratulated after his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins center Casey Mittelstadt (11) scores on Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) nn

NEW YORK (AP) — Zuby Ejiofor scored 23 points, Joson Sanon added 15 off the bench — all after halftime — and No. 18 St. John's rallied from 12 down in the second half to beat skidding Georgetown 72-69 on Tuesday night.

With a gritty comeback on Senior Night at Madison Square Garden, the Red Storm (24-6, 17-2 Big East) tied No. 4 UConn atop the conference standings with one regular-season game remaining. A victory Friday night at Hudson River rival Seton Hall would give the Johnnies at least a share of their second consecutive Big East regular-season championship following a 32-year drought.

The only time they’ve won back-to-back league crowns was 1985 and ’86.

Dylan Darling had 12 points for St. John's, which has won 15 of 16 overall and 11 straight meetings with Georgetown — the longest streak for either school in a series that dates to 1909.

Kayvaun Mulready scored a career-high 20 points off the bench for the streaky Hoyas (13-17, 5-14), last in the Big East. They've lost a season-worst seven in a row following a four-game winning streak.

Jeremiah Williams shook off an injury to his lower right leg and added 17 points. Malik Mack had 15.

After honoring Ejiofor and four other seniors in a pregame ceremony, the Red Storm came out flat. They trailed 48-36 with 13:30 remaining before finally starting to find their rhythm when Ian Jackson converted a three-point play.

Darling’s steal and fast-break layup put St. John’s ahead 59-57 with 6:43 left, its first lead since 15-14 with 12:16 to go in the first half.

A jumper by Sanon capped an 8-0 run, but Georgetown wouldn’t go away even after falling behind by five with 1:30 to play.

Williams could have tied it by finishing a three-point play with 16.6 seconds left, but he missed the free throw. Bryce Hopkins grabbed the rebound and sank two foul shots to make it 72-69, and Caleb Williams missed a 3-pointer for the Hoyas just before the buzzer.

Georgetown coach Ed Cooley faces his former team again when the Hoyas host Providence in their regular-season finale Saturday night.

St. John’s stormed back from 15 down in the second half to defeat Seton Hall 65-60 at MSG on Jan. 20.

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St. John's Red Storm's Ian Jackson (11) looks to pass during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's Red Storm's Dillon Mitchell (1) dunks the ball in front of Georgetown Hoyas' Kayvaun Mulready (45) and Vincent Iwuchukwu (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Georgetown Hoyas' Isaiah Abraham (7) drives past St. John's Red Storm's Zuby Ejiofor (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's Red Storm's Dylan Darling (0) drives past Georgetown Hoyas' Malik Mack (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino calls out to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)