LOS ANGELES -- The Pittsburgh Penguins had no issues with the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night, winning handily by a score of 5-1.
The ultimate game-winning goal would come from captain Sidney Crosby by way of deflection. With about six minutes to go in the first period, a puck popped out to the point to defender Matt Grzelcyk, who sent one on cage. Crosby tipped the shot, which found its way past Kings goaltender Dave Rittich, who finished the night with 27 saves on 32 shots.
Crosby also had an assist in the early stages of the third period. After gathering a puck from behind the net, Crosby fed defender Kris Letang for a one-timer, which stopped on the goal line for winger Anthony Beauvillier to knock in his 11th goal of the season to put the Penguins up 5-1.
The opening goal would also come from Pittsburgh, courtesy of center Kevin Hayes. On the powerplay, Hayes drove from the point all the way to the goal line before cutting back toward the front of the net. The puck then tipped off Kings' defender Joel Edmundson’s stick and over the pad of Rittich.
The Penguins' third goal to make the score 3-1 came during the middle of the second period from center Evgeni Malkin. On a great feed from winger Philip Tomasino, Malkin slid the puck across the ice from the hash marks unguarded.
Their fourth goal would come from winger Cody Glass, who sat patiently in front of the net and tapped in a pass from Hayes.
Los Angeles’ only goal would come on the powerplay from the team’s leading scorer, winger Adrian Kempe. During the five-on-three man advantage, Kempe was fed by captain Anze Kopitar at the top of the right circle for a one-timer which whizzed passed the shoulder of Pittsburgh goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic.
Nedeljkovic finished with 25 saves on 26 shots.
The Kings — who have lost four out of their past five — will look to get back into the wins column against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday at 7 p.m.