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RECAP: Penguins Take Back-To-Back Set With Overtime Win Against Kings

The Penguins concluded a home back-to-back set by hosting the Los Angeles Kings looking for their second straight win.

By Garrett Behanna
NHL: Los Angeles Kings at Pittsburgh Penguins Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Lineup:

Kris Letang is thankfully considered ‘day-to-day,’ per Mike Sullivan. Bryan Rust and Zach Aston-Reese get line promotions for their hard play. Oh, and Matt Murray is back in net for Pittsburgh. Swell times.

1st Period

Derek Grant was cited for slashing Sean Walker with only two minutes gone in the game. After this kill, Olli Maatta was called for interference.

SHORTY ALERT! For the second time in as many games, the Penguins have scored a short-handed goal. This time, Matt Cullen was the goalscorer to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead.

The Penguins would finally be the beneficiary of a power-play, with the Kings being called for having too many players on the ice. The Kings would kill off the penalty two minutes later.

Just after the power-play expired, Bryan Rust did the thing he’s been doing a lot of recently: kicking butt and scoring goals. 2-0 Pittsburgh.

Tyler Toffoli thought he would get the Kings on the board with a quick snap to beat Murray. It looked to be 2-1 Pittsburgh, however the Pens challenged the goal call for offsides and after review, the call on the ice was overturned - no goal. The perfect 2-0 lead remained.

With 1:20 left in the first period, Dustin Brown was called for high-sticking, sending Pittsburgh to the power-play again.

The period would come to and end with the Penguins holding onto a 2-0 lead.

Stats through one:

Here’s some required intermission viewing—Pascal Dupuis is back in the ‘Burgh!

2nd Period

Jake Muzzin finally gets the Kings on the board by joining the rush and banging a one-timer home to cut the lead in half. 2-1 Pittsburgh.

The Penguins would regain their two-goal lead with the help of Tanner Pearson with the winger getting the goal against his former club. 3-1 Pittsburgh.

Soon after, Matt Luff brings the contest back to a one-goal game with a hard shot from the slot. Not great defense on the play. 3-2 Pittsburgh.

With not much action to speak of, the second period would come to an end with Pittsburgh clinging to a 3-2 lead.

Stats through 40 minutes:

3rd Period

It what was the biggest event of the period to that point, Garrett Wilson would be called for hooking with a little over half the period remaining. Alex Iafallo would tie the game from the one-time goal. Not Murray’s best look there. 3-3 Tie.

Regulation time would end with both teams locked in a 3-3 stalemate.

3-on-3 Overtime

After your normal dose of crazy, back-and-forth OT play, the Penguins would be given a 4-on-3 power-play with Brendan Leipsic being called for slashing.

And Phil Kessel subsequently sends the crowd home happy with the OT winner!

Some Thoughts

  • Blowing 3-1 leads in back-to-back games is not good, especially to a team like the Kings. A win is a win, however and the Penguins will take two points every chance they get.
  • Bryan Rust is still on fire. Keep calm and carry on.
  • Matt Murray stopped 38 out of 41 shots in his return. Not counting the weak third goal given up, it was a pretty damn good return for Muzz.
  • Pittsburgh is back in action on Monday night when they play host to another California team - the Anaheim Ducks.

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