The Pittsburgh Penguins looked to cap off an already successful California road trip with one more win, this time against a surging Los Angeles Kings.
A win against the Kings would mean more than just a perfect road trip for the Penguins, however, as it would also move them up multiple spots in Metropolitan Division standings.
With Tristan Jarry injured, Magnus Hellberg made his first start with the team and top goalie prospect Joel Blomqvist served as backup.
With some added importance for the Penguins, it was appropriate that their captain got them on the board first.
Sidney Crosby extended his point streak to seven games when he forced possession to stay in the Penguins favor and he pounded home a wrap around.
As a Penguins power play was just coming to an end, a wide open Carl Grundstrom beat Hellberg to tie the score early.
That tie score carried all the way into the first intermission, and it was the Kings who carried the pace of play for a good majority of the second period.
Hellberg did his best to fend off the Kings, but they eventually broke through to take a 2-1 lead.
The Penguins didn’t bring much fight in the second period sitting way behind in shots on goal through the entire frame.
Lars Eller, on the other hand, did bring a little bite with a short handed goal to tie the game before the second intermission.
With Kris Letang in the box, Eller completely took over; from the steal in the neutral zone to the cut in the attacking zone, Eller put the whole play together himself.
The two teams entered the second intermission tied at a pair of goals each, but the Kings were carrying much of the momentum.
Considering the weight this game carried, this final period shaped up to be one of the most important 20-minute stretches in this young Penguins’ season.
And the Penguins made noise right away; just 37 seconds into the period, Crosby laid a perfect pass to Jake Guentzel who buried his chance.
The Kings wouldn't go away easily, though, as a follow-up chance by Kevin Fiala beat a sprawling Hellberg to again tie the game.
With the score all squared at threes, the Kings and Penguins continued to grind down regulation into the final minutes.
No new goals from either side forced the first overtime period of the Penguins season.
Bryan Rust thought he had buried the OT winner but it was quickly called back for offside.
That didn't matter to Rust because just seconds later he executed a perfect wrap around to officially seal a perfect road trip for the Penguins.
It was far from the best game played by the Penguins this season, but they'll take the huge win and return home with an even 6-6-0 record and a jump out of the basement of the Metro.
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