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Penguins Comeback Short, Kings ‘Breakaway’ 4-3; Pens Winless in 3

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Pittsburgh Penguinsgame, lose to LA Kings

The Pittsburgh Penguins had a strong start and a strong finish, but the meaty middle was lacking. The Penguins gave up a couple of breakaway goals and a two-on-one tally. Despite rallying from a two-goal deficit, the Penguins’ comeback stalled, and the LA Kings ended the Penguins’ eight-game point streak, 4-3, at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday.

The loss extended the Penguins’ winless streak to three.

The Penguins were the best first-period team in the NHL, but lately, they have had to clear the ice and snow off their car before turning the key. The Penguins didn’t get their first goal until later in the second period.

Midway through the second period, the Penguins tied the game and appeared to be finding a rhythm. After Radim Zohorna, a late substitute for Danton Heinen drew a penalty, the Penguins’ second power-play chance looked much better than their first.

With aggressive movement, Sidney Crosby (12) raced past LA defenseman Tobias Bjornfot for an uncontested backhand over goalie Cal Peterson.

However, the Penguins didn’t do much for their goalie, Tristan Jarry. LA scored three in the second period,

Early in the second, winger Alex Iafallo scored earlier in the second period off a cycle play. Iafallo (14) blistered a shot over Jarry’s shoulder from the left dot.

LA took a 2-1 lead two minutes after Crosby’s power-play tally. Trevor Moore slipped behind Brian Dumoulin for a short breakaway goal. Moore (6) went strong to the net and roofed a backhand over Jarry.

A few minutes after that, LA padded their lead, again at the expense of the Penguins’ top defensive pairing. Playing 4v4, Kris Letang was caught up ice after joining the Penguins rush. LA transitioned for a two-on-one, and defenseman Drew Doughty (5) jammed the puck past Jarry from the crease.

The energy and momentum were with the Penguins in the third period as captain Sidney Crosby took over the game. Early in the third period, Crosby surprisingly was not given an assist early in the period after a smart bank-shot pass to Letang, who activated low in the offensive zone. Letang fed Bryan Rust on the doorstep, and Rust (11) quickly finished the chance.

Midway through the period, Rust (12) was credited with a PPG goal after nifty puck work by Crosby backed the LA penalty killers toward the net. Rust’s pass deflected into the net, and the Penguins tied the game.

However, later in the third period, Moore (7) again flew the zone for a breakaway goal, his second of the game.

Jarry was very good. He stopped 34 of 38 shots. The Pittsburgh Penguins managed just 27 shots on Peterson.

It was a surprise that Dumoulin played the remainder of the game. Late in the first period, he was felled by a slap shot that hit the inside of his left leg or ankle. He had to be helped off the ice. However, he returned for the start of the second period.