The Penguins will take the crown from the Kings tonight!

By: MF,

Tonight is the second day of back-to-back California games for the Pittsburgh Penguins. They got a big 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks last night. The Penguins will look to continue that success tonight against the LA Kings. The team goes into this contest with seven wins in the last nine games versus the Kings, which goes back to November 1, 2006. This is the second time they have faced the Kings this season. They ended up getting the 3-0 win against them.

Last night, the Penguins had an explosive offensive game. Patric Hornqvist got on the board, which gave him 20 goals on the season. This is only the fifth time in his career that he has achieved such a feat. Hornqvist will most likely factor into the scoring tonight. He has six points (one goal and five assists) in his last three games against the Kings. He was also a combined plus-five in those games. Another player who is on fire is Evgeni Malkin, who is lighting up the National Hockey League (NHL). He now has 67 points (28 goals and 39 assists), which ties him with Alex Ovechkin, John Tavares and Nick Backstrom for first in the league. A key to getting a play going is winning face-off. Brandon Sutter has been phenomenal in the circle lately, as he has won at least 50% of his draws in nine consecutive games.

Now it's not all up to the offense to win games, but the defense plays a major role. The Penguins are lucky enough to have a guy like Kris Letang in their lineup. A guy having a Norris Trophy worthy season. Letang leads all defensemen in the league in points (50) and assists (40). He is also in the top ten in time-on-ice per game (25:45), shot attempts (+236) and shot attempt against per 60 minutes (34.26). Not to mention, the talent of the young defensemen, Derrick Pouliot. He has been playing like no other and has two points (one goal and one assist) in his last three games. Look for both those guys to jump up into offensive plays tonight for the Penguins.

Hopefully the Penguins can put together back-to-back wins tonight! Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Perron, Crosby, Hornqvist
Kunitz, Geno, Comeau
Winnik, Sutter, Bennett
Spaling, Lapierre, Downie

Defense
Martin, Letang
Pouliot, Lovejoy
Scuderi, Cole

Fleury in the net!

Play By Play

Overtime
0:00- THE PENS WIN 1-0 IN OVERTIME! FLEURY EARNS HIS 9TH, LEAGUE LEADING SHUTOUT! WHAT A GAME BY FLEURY AND THE PENS FIND A WAY TO GET THE TWO POINTS! 

3:21- HORNQVIST SCORES! Hornqvist battles behind the net to get the puck in the slot area! Martin forces a turnover and Hornqvist rifles it home! 1-0 Pens!

5:00- Five more minutes of hockey! Overtime is underway! The Pens have to get shots on net early on! Lets Go Pens!


3rd Period
0:00- I hope everyone is still awake! This game is headed to overtime!

1:00- Playoff hockey feel in this one.

2:31- I have run out of ways to express the show Fleury has been putting on tonight. The only reason the Pens are still in this one.

4:54- Nolan and Letang are released.

6:04- Crosby is poke checked by Quick!

7:11- Nolan and Letang get tangled up/exchange words in front of the Pens bench. Nolan had previous hit Letang into the boards. They end up in their respective boxes. 4 on 4 hockey.

9:54- Fleury with two amazing saves! One with the stick/blocker and then the outstretched pad!

10:51- Sutter and Scuderi get a chance right on Quick's doorstep.

12:24- Martin dishes out a classic hip check in the defensive zone to deny the Kings entry.

15:16- The Kings look like they got the first goal, but it's waved off. Brown is called for goalie interference.

17:35- A more physical game now. The Pens are now dishing some hits out themselves.

20:00- Let the third period begin! The Pens have to get more shots on net this period! Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00- The second period comes to an end and this one is still scoreless.

1:23- The Kings crash the net and Fleury holds strong. He even losses his glove on the play.

4:18- Another good kill by the Pens. The Kings are shooting at every chance they get, but the Pens seem to be waiting for a pretty goal. They need to get shots on net!

6:18- Sekera takes a seat for high-sticking and a huge power-play chance for the Pens in this scoreless game.

8:09- The Pens ice the puck once again.

9:37- A huge kill for the Pens as Cole is released.

11:37- The Kings are getting more physical. Some words and shoves are exchanged. Cole ends up in the box for interference and the Kings get a power-play.

13:24- Malkin tries a backhanded on the short side, but Quick was ready.

15:15- Now the Pens power-play is zero for three tonight.

17:15- Pens power-play time as Downie is held up by McNabb.

18:17- Brown gets a chance on are rebound shot, but Fleury shuts the door.

20:00- Time for the second period! The Pens have to get more offensive zone time and shots on net! Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00- The horn sounds on the first period and this game is scoreless.

1:51- Letang is robbed by Quick!

2:52- Crosby undresses Doughty...that was special there. Crosby rifles one, but it hits the goal post!

4:49- Kings kill off another Pens power-play. They had some good looks at the net, but Quick was on it.

6:49- Another power-play chance for the Pens as Greene goes back to the box for roughing.

8:46- Cole jumps into the Pens 2 on 1 chance. He fires a shot over the net!

10:49- Fleury is on his game early in this one.

12:04- A successful penalty kill for the Pens and that was thanks to Fleury. He is standing tall in the net.

14:04- Kunitz to the box for holding the stick. The Pens head onto the penalty kill.

16:41- Killed off and the Pens power-play didn't record a point.

18:41- The Pens will get the first power-play of the game as Greene sits for holding. 

19:35- Fleury with a solid save on Gaborik's shot. 

20:00- The puck has dropped at the Staples Center! The Pens look to become true Kings! Lets Go Pens!