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Staal, Kennedy lead Penguins over Senators

Mar 16, 2011 - 6:23 AM Ottawa, ON (Sports Network) - Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy both notched a goal and an assist to lead five different Pittsburgh goal scorers, as the Penguins rolled past Ottawa, 5-1, at Scotiabank Place.

Zbynek Michalek, Ben Lovejoy and Matt Cooke also tallied for Pittsburgh, which has won four of its last five games. Chris Kunitz posted three assists in the win while Brent Johnson made 21 saves.

"It's nice that we can compliment each other when we're out there and put pucks to the right areas. It's nice to be successful," Kunitz said of new linemates Staal and Kennedy.

Ryan Shannon was the lone offense for the Senators, who have lost two in a row since a three-game winning streak. Craig Anderson let in all five goals while being peppered with 41 shots.

Pittsburgh struck first on Kennedy's perfectly timed re-direct. Paul Martin blasted a shot from the left point toward Kennedy, who was camped out near the side of the net. The 24-year-old center swiped it in mid-air past Anderson for his 16th goal of the season.

The second period opened with three goals in three minutes, and the Pens created some breathing room.

Staal put the Pens up 2-0, jamming home a loose puck around the crease 1:21 in.

The Sens halved the lead with their only goal of the game on Shannon's power- play tally 47 seconds later. However, Pittsburgh reclaimed the two-goal lead just 3:05 into the second. This time it was Lovejoy that slammed home a one- timer between Anderson's legs off a Staal pass from behind the net.

Pittsburgh added onto its lead, 4-1, 7 1/2 minutes in when Cooke tipped in Dustin Jeffrey's wrister with his skate. The controversial goal was upheld after video review and Michalek tacked on a third period goal at the 8:47 mark of the third to make up the final tally.

"Obviously it's not the way you want to lose. When you get outshot 41 to whatever it is, that's not our game," Anderson said. "The way we were winning games was playing a 2-1 gritty hockey game, taking away the other team's chances and capitalizing on our opportunities. Tonight Pittsburgh played their system to a tee and they capitalized on our mistakes."

Game Notes

The Penguins had lost four of their last five in Ottawa...Pittsburgh was 0- for-5 on the power play, while the Senators went 1-for-4...Jeffery and Martin each finished with two assists.