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Staal, Penguins look for fifth straight win

Nov 13, 2008 - 11:37 AM Philadelphia (5-6-3) at Pittsburgh (9-4-2), 7:30 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins showed off their offensive prowess against the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings and would like to do the same against an Atlantic Division rival.

Looking to build on a dramatic comeback victory in overtime, the Penguins can extend their winning streak to five games when they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.

Jordan Staal recorded a hat trick in the third period and Pittsburgh overcame a 5-2 deficit entering the session before Ruslan Fedotenko notched the game-winner in overtime to seal a 7-6 victory.

Staal set up Fedotenko's tally and used his second career hat trick to break out of a slump. The 20-year-old had a slow start to the season, with just two goals and three assists in 13 games before Tuesday. Staal, who was plus-4 on the night, tied his season-high with five shots on goal.

Prior to jolting the Red Wings, the Penguins stole three straight one-goal games - including a 4-3 shootout victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday.

Philadelphia snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over the Islanders, but lost Daniel Briere to another injury. With the unspecified setback, his status for this game is uncertain.

Briere, who has scored in four straight games, made a quick return following abdominal surgery, coming back Saturday after a six-game absence to score the Flyers' lone goal in a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Nevertheless, the Flyers have produced two consecutive strong defensive efforts after pulling the trigger on a trade to acquire defenseman Matt Carle from the Lightning for Steve Eminger and Steve Downie on Friday.