• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Malkin's overtime goal lifts Penguins over Kings

Nov 2, 2006 - 6:20 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Evgeni Malkin's rookie season continues to get better by the game.

Malkin scored at 2:45 of overtime to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Los Angeles Kings, 4-3, on a night the rookie sensation became a part of NHL history.

With the Penguins on the power play in overtime, defenseman Sergei Gonchar took a slap shot from the point which was stopped by Los Angeles goaltender Dan Cloutier. The rebound went right to Malkin standing at the edge of the goal crease, and he whacked it in for his second tally of the game.

"What I like best about (Malkin) is his creativeness," said Sidney Crosby, who had three assists. "We can challenge each other's creativity. There are other players that play a more simple game and don't make high-risk plays.

"It's fun playing with someone that can make something out of nothing sometimes. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to play with him."

In the first period, Malkin gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead when he took a pass from Crosby in the slot and snapped the puck past Cloutier for his sixth goal.

With his first tally, Malkin became only the fourth player in league history to score in each of his first six NHL games.

"I'm more than twice their age, so it makes me feel real old at times," said Pittsburgh veteran Mark Recchi of Crosby and Malkin. "I think the greatest thing about them is their work ethic. They work hard in practice, they work hard in the gym, they have a great attitude, and that's the most exciting thing about them."

In 10 games, Crosby has six goals and 12 assists while Malkin has seven goals and four assists.

"We're similar players, we like to do things at high speed, we like to attack the net," Crosby said. "We don't slow things down like a guy like Joe Thornton does. We compliment each other in that way."

Defenseman Noah Welch and fellow rookie Jordan Staal scored the other goals for Pittsburgh, which went 1-for-5 on the power play.

Michael Cammalleri, Dustin Brown and blue-liner Rob Blake tallied for the Kings, who went 1-for-2 with the extra man.

Cloutier only stopped 19 shots.

"At this level, it doesn't matter who you are, you have to go out and perform," Cloutier said. "Throughout my career, I've had my ups and downs and you have to keep working at it. You can't start feeling sorry for yourself, especially early in the season."