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Penguins look to continue strong play without Crosby

Feb 9, 2008 - 11:39 AM Los Angeles (23-30-3) at Pittsburgh (30-19-5) 1:00 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- No Sidney Crosby has been no problem for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins go for their second straight win and third in their last four games when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon.

Since Crosby went down with a high ankle sprain on January 18, Pittsburgh has posted a 4-2-2 record, which includes a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders on Thursday.

After being publicly called out by his coach, defenseman Ryan Whitney stepped up in a big way against the Islanders, scoring two goals while adding an assist.

Pittsburgh coach Michel Therrien blamed his team's 4-3 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday on Whitney.

"A guy like Ryan Whitney is going to have to be more aggressive around the net," Therrien said after the setback. "He's not aggressive at all. It cost (us) the game."

Whitney's pair of goals against the Islanders gave him 11 this season, seven of which have come on the power play.

After posting a two-goal victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday, the Kings pulled off another shocking win when they downed the league-leading Detroit Red Wings, 5-3, on Thursday.

Los Angeles scored four goals in the third period to erase a 3-1 deficit against Detroit, ending the Red Wings' eight-game winning streak.

Despite improving to 3-1-1 on their eight-game road trip with the win, the Kings remain in last place in the Western Conference with 49 points, four behind the Chicago Blackhawks.