Penguins 3 - 2 Kings
Final - 2OT
  for this game

Kunitz boosts Pens to SO win over Kings

Nov 6, 2011 - 6:46 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Chris Kunitz tied the game with 2:57 to go in regulation and won it in the fourth round of the shootout, as the Pittsburgh Penguins snuck past the Los Angeles Kings, 3-2.

Steve Sullivan also scored for the Penguins, who snapped a two-game skid. Marc-Andre Fleury made 24 saves.

"I think this one is a little more satisfying just after our let down in San Jose," Kunitz said. "You know, to let them come back in a game that we thought maybe we started really good and didn't finish that way. So tonight to be able to do that to someone else gives it a little more satisfaction."

Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist for the Kings, who have lost four in a row. Simon Gagne also scored.

Jonathan Quick made 31 saves in defeat.

With the score tied at 1-1, Kings forward Mike Richards was awarded a penalty shot midway through the third period. His shot sailed wide left of the net.

Gagne put Los Angeles ahead at the 13:49 mark. Kopitar carried the puck into the slot before finding Gagne at the side of the net. Gagne's shot found the back of the net to make it 2-1.

The Kings almost had a two-goal cushion with 3:20 to go, but a high stick took a goal away.

With 2:57 left, Kunitz gathered the puck behind the net and beat Quick with a backhander to make it 2-2.

"Anytime you give up a goal it is unfortunate, especially late in the game," Kopitar said. "There's nothing you can do but fight on and go after it again. I think we played really good. The key to our success is the play through the neutral zone, enter the zone with good speed and spacing."

Kopitar and Kris Letang scored for their respective teams in the second round of the shootout. After Gagne was stopped to begin the fourth round, Kunitz guided the puck through the legs of Quick.

Sullivan's wrister from the side of the net gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead at the 18:45 mark of the first period.

Kopitar beat Fleury with a backhander at the 13:34 mark of the middle stanza to make it 1-1.

Game Notes

The Kings are 4-0-2 in their last six home meetings with Pittsburgh (since October 28, 1999)...Penguins forward Jordan Staal returned to the lineup after missing two games with a lower-body injury...Alexandre Picard made his Penguins debut.






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