Los Angeles Kings at Pittsburgh Penguins

Moore's 2nd goal helps Kings beat Penguins 4-3; Crosby 498th

Moore’s second goal broke a tie in the third period and sent the Kings over the Penguins 4-3 on Sunday.

“The bench was positive,” Moore said. “We kept going … kept doing our thing. We didn’t change anything and I thought that would lead to success.”

Sidney Crosby scored his 498th career goal for the Penguins, who saw an eight-game point streak end.

“We’ve had moments where we’ve been better, but it hasn’t been consistent,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “We need a more consistent effort throughout.”

Moore took a lead pass from Blake Lizotte and beat goaltender Tristan Jarry on a breakaway at 13:21 of the third. Moore’s seventh goal of the season helped the Kings win for the third time in five games following a three-game skid.

Drew Doughty, who played in his 1,000th NHL game on Thursday, scored his fifth and Alex Iafallo got his 14th for the Kings.

Los Angeles, which lost in overtime at Philadelphia on Saturday, is unbeaten in regulation during its last five games. Cal Petersen, who has six wins in his last seven starts, made 24 saves.

“When we play a good, structured game, when we’re checking well and we’re not giving too much to the team across from us, it leads to offensive success,” Moore said.

Bryan Rust had a pair of third-period goals for the Penguins, who have lost three in a row for the first time since late November. The Penguins last lost in regulation Jan. 13 at Los Angeles. They last lost in regulation at home Nov. 27 against Montreal.

Jarry stopped 34 shots for Pittsburgh, which is 17-3-2 since Dec. 4.

Rust got Pittsburgh within 3-2 at 6:17 of the third period on a turning shot from the bottom of the left circle. He tied it with the Penguins’ second power-play goal of the game, scoring at 10:02.

Pittsburgh has 14 power-play goals in its last 15 games. The Penguins have scored power-play goals in seven of their last eight games overall.

“They’re obviously scoring a lot of goals,” Sullivan said of his power-play unit. “They’re dynamic.”

Pittsburgh failed to score a first-period goal for the fifth consecutive game.

Iafallo opened the scoring for Los Angeles at 1:17 of the second period. He took a pass from Anze Kopitar and lifted a slap shot over Jarry’s shoulder.

Crosby made it 1-all at 8:29 of the second with a power-play goal, but Moore helped the Kings regain the lead at 10:35 of the second. Jacob Moverare earned his first NHL point with a deep stretch pass to Moore, who beat Jarry over the shoulder with a backhander.

Doughty made it 3-1 at 13:49 of the second period.

CROSBY CLOSES IN ON 500

Crosby is two goals from becoming the second active player and 46th in NHL history to score 500 career regular-season goals.

Crosby is also looking to join Mario Lemieux as the only players in Penguins’ history to score 500 goals with the team. Crosby, currently in his 17th NHL season, has led the Penguins’ in goals nine times, a feat only Lemieux (10) has accomplished more.

Crosby, a two-time Rocket Richard winner, has scored 30 goals nine times, reached 40 twice and 50 during the 2009-10 season. He has seven goals and 14 points in his last nine games overall.

GUENTZEL HITS 300 POINTS

Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel became the 26th player in team history to record 300 NHL points on Rust’s second goal.

Guentzel, who was drafted No. 77 overall in 2013, became the seventh member of his draft class, and the first one selected outside the top-10 to reach 300 points.

Guentzel became the seventh-fastest player in team history – and the fastest in his draft class – to score 300 points, accomplishing the feat in 338 games.

STREAKS AND SUCH

Kopitar has one goal and five points during a four-game point streak. He has five goals and 12 points in his last 11 games overall.

Moore has four goals and 16 points this month for the Kings. Kopitar, in March 2018, was the last Kings’ player to score more than 15 points in a month.

Evgeni Malkin has two goals and nine points during a season-long eight-game point streak for Pittsburgh. He has 12 points in 11 games since making his season debut on Jan. 11. Malkin has points in all six home games he’s played and 15 of his last 17 dating back to last season.

Kris Letang became the first Penguins’ defenseman to score at least 19 points in a calendar month since Larry Murphy in February 1992. He has four goals and 20 points in 15 games. The team record of 28 points in a month was established by Paul Coffey in February 1990.

UP NEXT

Kings: Close a six-game road trip Wednesday at Detroit.

Penguins: Close a six-game homestand Tuesday against Washington.

LA wins series 2-0