Penguins at Kings - 11-05-11

-Sidney Crosby Team Canada and Jordan Staal:

-Mario Lemieux and Evgeni Malkin:

-Noted Penguins fan and Mike Richards "fan" Cy Clark is on hand:

-Root Sports' Dan reacts to a wet willy from Deryk Engelland:

-We think.

-Warm ups:

-Jordan Staal returns to the lineup.

-The Penguins' starters are Arron Asham, Matt Cooke, Richard Park, Kris Letang, Paul Martin and Marc-Andre Fleury.

-Their scratches are Dustin Jeffrey, Steve MacIntyre and Matt Niskanen.

-Niskanen didn't look completely healthy after that knee-on-knee hit from San Jose's Andrew Desjardins Thursday.

-Robert Bortuzzo will make his NHL debut. He will be the fifth player in franchise history to wear No. 41. The others are the great Martin Skoula, Nathan Smith, Jocelyn Thibault and Shane Endicott.

-Alexandre Picard is making his Penguins debut. He is the first player in franchise history to wear No. 54. Talk about boldly going where no man has gone before.

-The Kings' starters are Simon Gagne, Anze Kopitar, Justin Williams, Drew Doughty, Willie Mitchell and Jonathan Quick.

-Their scratches are Davis Drewiske, Trent Hunter and Trevor Lewis.

-Root Sports provides your lines and defensive pairings:

-This picture from a pregame segment showing Richard Park's family the day he was drafted in 1994 is all kinds of mid-90s awesomeness:

15:50: Fighting off a check from Brad Richardson, Park flicks a backhander from the left circle. Quick knocks it dead and covers.

15:27: Malkin fights off a check from Mitchel behind the Kings net and deals a backhanded pass to Neal in the left circle. Neal kneels down and snaps off a wrister. Quick makes the save. Mitchell gets nasty with Malkin after the whistle. There's a history with those two. Malkin smacked Mitchell into the boards during a 2009-10 game when Michell was with the Canucks. Mitchell's season was over due to a concussion:

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14:30: From above the left circle, Kopitar taps a soft feed to the slot. Gagne, with his back to Fleury, re-directs it sligthly on net. Fleury kciks it out.

13:33: Martin steals a puck in the defensive zone, pushes it up ice into the Kings' zone and deals a little pass to Dupuis on the right point. Dupuis wires a one-timer on net. Quick eats it up.

12:37: Malkin circles behind the Kings net fighting off a check from Dustin Brown and deals a drop pass in the left circle to Neal. Neal

12:15: Bortuzzo gains the offensive zone on the right wing and whips a wrister at the cage. It's a bit wide but Quick leaps out and gloves it to freeze play.

11:33: Kunitz tries to settle a puck along the right wing boards. He's shoved from behind into the glass by Ethan Moreau. That's a pretty dumb play. Moreau gets two minutes for boarding. Kunitz sells it a bit and is stunned for a few seconds. Neal, Kunitz, Malkin, Sullivan and Letang take the ice.

10:52: Sullivan has a chance in tight but can't beat Quick. Matt Greene comes in to clear Sullivan away but accidently gets hits Quick in the head with his leg. Quick is stunned a bit but stays in the game.

10:23: Malkin booms a one-timer from above the left circle. Scuderi is in front and knocks it away with his stick. Fire Ray Shero.

9:33: As Moreau's penalty expires, Staal rushes up the right wing and flips a backhander on net from a bad angle. Quick fends it off.

9:22: Cooke corrals a loose puck in the right circle, spins and cracks a slapper on net. Quick kicks it out.

7:10: Neal trips up Richards in the neutral zone. That's two minutes. Cooke, Staal, Martin and Orpik take the ice.

6:32: Drew Doughty has a wrister from the left circle blocked by Martin.

6:25: From the slot, Kopitar slides a pass to Johnson in the right . Johnson cracks a one-timer which deflects over the cage.

6:06: Johnson booms a slapper from above the right circle. Staal blocks it and backhands the rebound out of the defensive zone.

5:32: Alec Martinez snaps off a wrister from the right point. Fleury kicks it out. Deryk Engelland corrals the puck and snaps it down ice.

5:10: Neal's minor is killed. Outstanding effort by the Penguins.

4:57: Sullivan snaps a pass up ice to Malkin who seems to be off on a breakaway. Mitchell keeps up with Malkin but hacks the heck out of him on the way to the net, breaking his own stick. Malkin is denied by Quick. Mitchell is sent to the penalty box. Malkin, Neal, Kunitz, Sullivan and Letang take the ice.

3:28: Picard sneaks up the right wing and backhands a pass towards the crease. Malkin is there and re-directs it off the far post.

3:26: Moreau is called for slashing Staal. That's two minutes. The Penguins will have a two-man advantage for 30 seconds. Dan Bylsma calls a timeout to get organized. Sullivan, Neal, Letang, Malkin and Kuntiz take the ice.

3:22: Oof. Scuderi clears the puck from behind his net out of play. That's a delay of game. The Penguisn will have a five-on-three for quite a bit. A goal is a must here. Sullivan, Neal, Letang, Malkin and Kuntiz remain on the ice.

3:02: Dear lord. Malkin booms a one-timer from above the right cirlc. Quick makes the save with his chest. The rebound hops to Sullivan in the left circle He taps it on net. Quick makes the save. The puck floats over him into the crease. Kunitz is there and tries to bat it in with his stick in mid air but can't make clean contact. He's bumped into the cage and dislodges it. Quick coves he puck.

2:33: Letang has a wrister from the right circle blocked by a stick on puck by Doughty.

2:02: Penalty killer extraordinaire Mike Richards pushes the puck into the Penguins zone and eats it in the left corner killing time.

1:40: Malkin fires a one-timer from the right circle. it's blocked to the left circle.

1:26: The Kings get it down to a one-man advantage. The Penguin still have a 32 seconds of power-play time.

1:15: Welcome to the score sheet Steve Sullivan. Letang fakes a slapper above the left circle, pulls the puck down into the left circle and deals a pass to Sullivan down low along the goal line. Sullivan is able to float a shot from a bad angle under Quick's stick. It's Sullivan's first goal as a Penguin. Letang and Neal get assists. Penguins 1-0.

0:09: Williams pumps a wrister on net from the right circle. Fleury fights it off with his glove.

0:00: End of period. Penguins 1-0.

FIRST INTERMISSION

-The Penguins probably should have a few more goals given the amount of power plays they had. This special teams unit continues to be a work in progress.

-Malkin has looked dangerous thus far tonight. He has created a few things.

-Picard and Bortuzzo were hardly noticeable and that's probably a good thing. Bortuzzo had 3:53: of ice time on six shifts. Bortuzzo had 2:03 on four shots.

-Staal seemed fine. He skated hard and seemed to have a little extra hop than usual.

-Anze Kopitar has looked scary.

-The Penguins have a 14-8 lead in shots.

-Neal and Malkin each lead the game with three shots.

-Gagne and Moreau each led the Kings with two.

-Letang leads the game with 10:46 of ice time.

-Johnson leads the Kings with 8:50.

-The Kings control faceoffs, 16-8 (67 percent).

-Stoll is 4 for 5 (80 percent).

-Kunitz is 1 for 2 (50 percent).

-Mitchell leads the game with three blocked shots.

-No one else has more than one.

SECOND PERIOD

18:55: Brown and Letang mix it up in the right wing corner. Brown cross checks him in he mid section three times. Letang slugs him with a punch. Brown falls back as if he were shot. The Kings get a power play as Letang is sent off for roughing. The Kings were due a power play after the Penguins. Dupuis, Martin, Orpik and Cooke take the ice.

18:07: Rough spot here for the Penguins as they're nabbed for too many men. Kunitz will serve the minor. The Kings take a time out to get organized. They'll have a two-man advantage for 1:18. Cooke, Orpik and Adams take the ice.

17:50: Doughty drops the hammer on a one-timer from the right point. Fleury fights it off.

17:09: Kopitar sneaks a pass from the right circle to Richards to the left of the crease. Richards swats the shot wide on the near side.

16:55: The Letang minor is killed. The Kings will will have 42 seconds of power play time.

16:38: Fleury settles a dump in behind the net. Letang takes it and flings it down ice.

16:07: The second minor is killed. Big effort by the Penguins.

14:13: Dupuis pushes the puck up the right wing on a two-on-one with Sullivan against Kyle Clifford. Dupuis keeps the puck and lifts a wrister over the cage.

13:09: Engelland flings a wrister from the right point wide to the far side.

12:06: Bortuzzo mizes it up with Richards in the neutral zone. Bortuzzo is sent off for roughing. Martin, Staal, Orpik and Cooke take the ice. As EN reader @sheizer37 points out, Boruzzo with his mustache looks like Nic Cage from "Raising Arizona:"

11:16: Richards snaps off a wrister from the right circle wide to the far side.

10:00: As Bortuzzo's minor expires, Greene pounds a slapper from the left point. Fleury makes the save. Gagne has a chance on the rebound in the slot but no dice.

9:50: Martinez floats a one-timer on net from the right point. Fleury eats it up. Coming back from commercial, former Penguins forward Mike Comrie is shown in the crowd:

8:36: Vitale tries to sweep a wraparound attempt o his forehand on net from the left of the cage. Quick holds the paddle down and knocks it away.

8:08: Letestu snaps off a wrister from the left circle. It goes wide.

7:42: Johnson unleashes a rocket of a one-time ffrom the left point. Fleury fights it off.

7:22: Kuntiz has a chance in tight but Quick says no.

7:02: Quick covers a puck in the crease. Adams jabs a stick in for a rebound. The Kings and Quick take exception and give Adams the business.

6:26: Wow. Just wow. What a pretty goal. Park turns the puck over. That creates a two-on-one for Williams and Kopitar against Martin. Williams flips a backhanded pass to Kopitar all alone in the slot. Kopitar goes forehand-backhand and flips a backhander by the glove hand of a helpless Fleury. Can't allow that guy to be all alone on your goaltender. A massive defensive breakdown. Williams and Green get assists. Kings 1, Penguins 1.

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6:10: Sullivan has a chance in the left circle and flicks a wrister to the far side. Quick kicks it out wiht his left leg.

4:30: Asham pounds a slapper on net from the right wing. Quick punches it away.

3:54: Greene puts a shot on net from the top of the slot. Vitale blocks it with his chest and pushes it up ice.

3:39: Kopitar flips a little backhanded pass above the crease. Clifford is there but can't cash in.

3:30: Martinez booms a slapper from the left point. It hits a body in front and deflects wide.

2:50: Richards punches one-timer from the right circle. Fleury fight sit off.

2:42: From the slot, Sullivan leaves a drop pass for Malkin on the right wing. Malkin flies up, kneels down and puts a wrister on net. Quick stretches to his left and kicks it out.

2:24: Letestu leads a three-on-two rush up the left wing. He elects to shoots and snaps off a wrister to the far side. Quick gloves it.

0:40: Brown snaps off a wrister from the left wing. Fleury steers it ot the near corner.

0:35: Richards circles in the left circle and snaps off a wrister to the far side. Fleury gloves it despite traffic.

0:00: End of period. Kings 1, Penguins 1.

SECOND INTERMISSION

-For a 1-1 game, this is is a pretty entertaining tilt. There have been plenty of offensive chances for each team. Lots of back and forth skating. And some tough goaltender.

-The Penguins didn't sustain much prolonged pressure that period. Granted, they had to kill a few penalties, but there was little on their end in terms of puck possession in the offensive zone.

-Picard and Bortuzzo were quiet again. That's a good thing.

-The Penguins have a 24-21 lead in shots.

-Malkin leads the game with five shots.

-Richards leads the Kings with three.

-Letang leads the game with 20:19 of ice time.

-Johnson leads the Kings with 17:11.

-The Kings are dominating faceoffs, 28-15 (65 percent).

-Stoll is 10 for 12 (83 percent).

-The great Joe Vitale is 3 for 3 (100 percent).

-Johnson and Mitchell each lead the game with three blocked shots.

-Martin leads the Penguins with two.

THIRD PERIOD

18:45: Martin smacks the puck off Kopitar's stick as he enters the offensive zone with a stick on puck.

18:32: Williams rushes up the right wing and leaves a drop pass. Kopitar steps up and hammers a one-timer on net. Fleury fiends it off.

18:07: Malkin rushes up the ice, cross to the slot and cracks a slapper. Mitchell goes stick on puck and deflects it out of play.

15:30: Staal pushes the puck up deep on the left wing and centers a pass to the slot. Kunitz jumps on it and cranks a one-timer wide to the right of the cage. He has to get that on net.

11:59: After several stagnant minutes, Kopitar has a chance in the right circle with Fleury out of position. Martin knocks the puck away with a nice stick on puck play. He probably saved a goal there.

10:06: Asham circles off the left wing boards and chops a shot wide ot the lef the of the cage.

9:54: Stoll is called for a slash on Vitale. Neal, Malkin, Kunitz, Sullivan and Letang take the ice.

9:30: Letang forces a bad pass to Sullivan at the left point. Richards steals it and is off ton a breakaway. Letang races after him and dives to poke the puck away. He misses and trips up Richards. Fleury olds the puck out. Richards is awarded a penalty shot. Say what you will about Richards, but he's dangerous on the penalty kill. He takes the puck and moves in on net. he snaps off a wrister from the slot wide to the left of the cage. Fleury appears to say something to his former Flyers rival after.

8:53: From the left wing corner, Malkin centers a pass towards the crease. Kunitz

8:40: Kunitz has another chance in tight but no dice.

8:30: Mitchell blocks a wrister from Malkin the right circle. Mitchell has been all over Malkin tonight.

8:20: Neal has a chance in tight. Quicks says no.

7:54: The Stoll minor is killed. The Kings did a wonderful job fighting that off.

6:35: Kopitar snaps off a wrister from the slot wide to the left of the cage.

6:11: You could see that coming. The Penguins were running around in the ir own zone and pay the price. Williams steals a puck on the right wing and coast towards the slot. He deals a pass to Kopitar who attacks the slot. Kopitar draws in both Engelland and Oprik and that leaves Gagne wide open on the back door. Gagne punches in the easy shot behind a helpless Fleury. Kopitar and Williams get assists. Kings 2-1.

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5:50: Neal fires a slapper from the left circle. Doughty goes stick on puck and the puck hops up and strikes Doughty in the face. He has a small cut under his left eye and heads to the locker room for repairs. Scary to think what would have happened if Doughty didn't have a visor.

4:50: Dupuis booms a slapper from the right point. Kunitz in the right circle and re-directs it on net. Quick fights it off.

4:33: Doughty returns to the bench.

3:20: Off a turnover by the Penguins in the neutral zone. Richards flings a wrister at the cage from the left wing boards. Brown cuts in front of the crease and re-directs it on net with a high stick. Fleury immediately protests it as a high stick. Officials immediately wave off the goal but review it. The video confirms the call.

3:05: Dupuis snaps off a wrister from the right circle. Quick fights it off but allows rebound. Staal and Kunitz overskate it.

2:57: Kunitz was going to cash in eventually. Staal and Kunitz battle for a puck behind the net. Staal chops it to Kunitz to the left of the cage. Kunitz is able to take the pass and punch it by the blocker of a stretched out Quick. Kuntiz has been getting dirty all night near the crease. Staal gets the only assist. Dupuis could make a case for one. Kings 2, Penguins 2.

2:05: Neal is dumped in the neutral zone by Mitchell with a slew foot. No call.

0:55: Adams has a chance in right on the left wing. His backhander is blocked.

0:29: Letang corrals a puck at the top of the slot and unleasehes a rocke from the right post. Theres a scramble down low. Kunitz has a chance but can't beat Quick's blocker.

0:00: End of period. Free hockey. Kings 2, Penguins 2.

THIRD INTERMISSION

-The Penguins have a 32-26 lead in shots.

OVERTIME

2:51: After a stagnant first two minutes, Dupuis lifts a wrister on net. Quick traps it against his chest. 

2:12: Malkin has a wrister from the right

1:54: Kopitar gains the offensive zone in the slot with speed and snaps off a wrister high of the cage.

1:42: Doughty pounds a slapper from the left half wall. It hits a body in front. Kopitar has a chance on the rebound but puts it wide.

1:29: Gagne has a wrister from teh tpo of the slot blocked in front.

1:14: Doughty has a one-timer from the left half wall blocked by Kunitz.

0:50: Sullivan is clobbered by Stoll in the neutral zone. He's slow to recover and heads to the bench.

0:00: End of period. Kings 2. Penguins 2.

FOURTH INTERMISSION

SHOOTOUT

-Stoll is up first. He flies in and lifts a wrister over the cage.

-Malkin is up first for the Penguins? No Letang? Okay. He veers to the right attacks the net and snaps off a wrister. Quick punches it away with his blocker.

-Kopitar moves in slowly and calmly foes forehand. He jams up Fleury and smoothly slides a backhander through Fleury's five hole. Wow. Kings 1-0.

-Letang comes back with a response. He goes slighlyg to the left, attacks the net, fends off poke check and tucks  backhander by the blocker of Quick. Kings 1, Penguins 1.

-Brown goes directly at the net and goes with a wrister. Fleury punches it away with his glove hand.

-Neal can win it. He flies in, goes slightly to the right and shoots five hole. Quick kicks it out with his right leg.

-Gagne approaches the net slowly and shots a wrister which Fleury fights off to the left with a blocker.

-Kunitz can win it. He glides in on net, fakes a wrister, goes forehand-backhand-forehand and slides a forehand shot through the five hole of Quick. What a move. Quick breaks his stick off the goal in frustration. End of shootout. Penguins 2, Kings 1. End of game. Penguins 3, Penguins 2.

POSTGAME

-What a gutsy win. The Penguins had a lot working against them with regards to injuries, particularly on the blue line. And the Kings attacked them physically. The Penguins got a dirty goal late and pulled the win out in the shootout.

-The second line of Chris Kunitz, Jordan Staal and Pascal Dupuis deserved that goal. They had a strong game even before the goal. They were going to cash in based on their play down low.

-The Penguins' power play needed to get another goal in the first period. If the cash in on that five-on-three, they probably win in regulation.

-This was easily the worst officiating we've seen all season. The officials seemed determined to even up the penalties for the Kings in the second period and put the whistles away in the third period and overtime. It was like 1998.

-The goaltending for both teams was stellar. Marc-Andre Fleury kept his team in it as the Kings controlled play, particularly in the second period. Jonathan Quick stole several goals. If you're a goaltending fan, this was your game.

-Robert Bortuzzo and Alexandre Picard hardly stood out but you didn't want them too. They just had to play No. 5 or 6 type of minutes and not make mistakes. They did that perfectly.

-Picard had 15 shifts for 15:37 of ice time, one shot and was a plus-1.

-Bortuzzo had 17 shifts for 10:38.

-Staal was solid in his return. His skating was solid and he got busy in the high traffic areas.

-Anze Kopitar is very scary player. He just controlled play anytime he had the puck. Anytime he had a shot, you had to hold your breath.

-Willie Mitchell was all over Evgeni Malkin. He managed to find a way to get a stick or a foot or something on so many of his shots or passes. Malkin did not have an easy night due to Mitchell.

-The Penguins had a 33-26 lead in shots.

-Kunitz led the game with six.

-Mike Richard led the Kings with four.

-Kis Letang led the game with a massive 32:33 of ice time. Yeesh.

-Jack Johnson led the Kings with 27:44 of ice time.

-The Kings dominated faceoffs, 44-21 (65 percent).

-Jarret Stoll was 15 for 19 (79 percent).

-Kopitar was 11 for 16 (67 percent).

-The great Joe Vitale was 6 for 8 (75 percent).

-Mitchell led the game with five blocked shots.

-Paul Martin led the Penguins with three.

-James Neal has points in 11 of his 15 games this season.

-Game summary.

-Event summary.