In a bright‑spot for Pittsburgh fans, the Penguins snapped a four‑game slide on Saturday night with a 5‑2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. The win was highlighted by veteran captain Sidney Crosby, who not only scored twice but also moved into sole possession of sixth place on the NHL’s career scoring list.
Crosby’s milestone and game‑winning goals
The 39‑year‑old Crosby broke his tie with Kings legend Marcel Dionne by registering his 1,772nd point when Evgeni Malkin’s one‑timer deflected off him in the second period. He capped the night with an empty‑net goal, diving face‑first to tap the puck home and seal the win.
Early surge by the Penguins
Tommy Novak set the tone just two minutes after the opening face‑off, converting a rebound for his first goal. Less than three and a half minutes later, Novak added a second, making it his seventh career multi‑goal game. The early lead was bolstered by a power‑play goal from rookie Egor Chinakhov, who struck late in the first period.
Supporting contributions
Alex Laferriere extended the lead with another power‑play marker early in the second period. The Penguins also shuffled their top line before the game, pairing Crosby with 40‑year‑old Malkin in an effort to spark the struggling roster.
King’s setbacks
Los Angeles struggled to respond. Corey Perry scored midway through the first period after a high shot off the end boards ricocheted toward the crease, but the Kings could not sustain momentum. A potential tying goal by Artemi Panarin was overturned after video review showed a marginal off‑side on the Kings’ zone entry. Darcy Kuemper faced only 14 shots, reflecting the Penguins’ defensive pressure.
Goalie performance
Sergei Murashov recorded 26 saves for Pittsburgh, helping the team open a three‑game California road trip with just its third win in 11 games. The victory offers a morale boost as the Pens look to regain consistency heading into the latter part of the season.
Looking ahead
The Penguins will travel to San Jose and Sacramento next, hoping to build on the momentum generated by Crosby’s historic achievement and the team’s improved offensive output. For Kings fans, the loss marks the second defeat in three games during a seven‑game home stretch.
Both clubs remain in the midst of a competitive Western Conference race, where every point is crucial as the playoff picture continues to take shape.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
