Crosby Scores Twice as Penguins Beat Kings 5-2 to End Road Losing Streak

LOS ANGELES — Sidney Crosby scored twice, including the goal that moved him past Marcel Dionne into sixth place on the NHL's all-time points list, as the Penguins beat Kings 5-2 at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night. The win ended Pittsburgh's seven-game road losing streak and snapped a four-game skid overall. Tommy Novak also scored twice, Evgeni Malkin recorded three assists, and Sergei Murashov stopped 26 shots.

Key Points

• Sidney Crosby scored twice and passed Marcel Dionne for sixth place on the NHL's all-time points list with 1,773 career points.
• Tommy Novak scored twice in the opening 5:10 — the fastest two goals to start a game by any NHL player this season.
• Evgeni Malkin had three assists and passed Adam Oates for 20th place on the NHL's all-time scoring list.
• The win ended Pittsburgh's seven-game road losing streak (0-6-1).
• Corey Perry and Alex Laferriere scored for Los Angeles, who are 2-2-0 in the first four games of a seven-game homestand.

What Happened

Pittsburgh wasted no time taking control. Novak opened the scoring just 1:52 into the first period, standing at the top of the crease to prevent Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper from cleanly catching Declan Carlile's long shot, then collecting the rebound and beating Kuemper with a wrist shot. He made it 2-0 at 5:10, taking the puck away from Kings defenceman Mikey Anderson and pouncing on the rebound of Ben Kindel's shot. The two goals in 5:10 were the fastest two goals to begin a game by any player this season.

Corey Perry cut the deficit to 2-1 at 9:55 of the first period, knocking the puck in out of midair after Anderson's wrist shot caromed off the glass. Egor Chinakhov restored Pittsburgh's two-goal lead at 19:31 on a power play, his wrist shot confirmed by video review.

Alex Laferriere brought Los Angeles within 3-2 with a power-play goal at 3:07 of the second period, his intended pass deflecting off the skate of Pittsburgh defenceman Kaedan Korczak and in through Murashov's pads. The Kings thought they had tied the game at 15:36 when Artemi Panarin found the net, but the Penguins challenged the play for offside and the call was overturned.

Crosby then took over the history books. His 1,772nd career point came at 17:13 of the second period, when Malkin's one-timer from the right circle caught a piece of him before going into the net off a setup from Erik Karlsson, making it 4-2. Crosby was awarded his second goal at 18:44 for the 5-2 final after he was impeded by Los Angeles defenceman Erik Gustafsson on a breakaway towards the empty net.

Background and Context

The Penguins arrived in Los Angeles in desperate need of a result. Pittsburgh had not won away from home since a 7-0 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers in the season opener on September 30, going 0-6-1 on the road since then, and had lost four straight games overall (0-3-1).

The win moved Pittsburgh to 6-9-2 on the season, while Los Angeles fell to 5-8-2. Murashov's 26 saves earned him his first win of the season, while Kuemper stopped just 14 shots for the Kings. Kris Letang added two assists.

Crosby Passes Dionne as Penguins Beat Kings in Los Angeles

The headline moment belonged to Crosby, and it was fitting that it came in Los Angeles. With his 1,772nd point, the Penguins captain passed Marcel Dionne (1,771 points; 731 goals, 1,040 assists) for sole possession of sixth place on the NHL's all-time points list. Crosby now has 1,773 points, built on 660 goals and 1,113 assists.

Dionne played 12 seasons for the Kings, and Crosby acknowledged the setting made the milestone sweeter. "I mean, it was probably a little bit cooler because it was here," Crosby said of passing Dionne, who starred for Los Angeles from 1975 to 1987.

The goal itself was classic Crosby: driving to the net, getting a piece of Malkin's one-timer and watching it beat Kuemper. "Haven't gone in easy, so yeah, just nice to get that one," Crosby said. "Nice to get a win and have a good feeling here going into tomorrow."

Malkin also climbed the record books on Saturday. His three assists took him to 1,421 career points (539 goals, 882 assists), passing Adam Oates (1,420) for 20th place on the NHL's all-time scoring list.

Reactions and Quotes

Pittsburgh coach Dan Muse was full of praise for his captain's latest climb up the record books. "Unbelievable," Muse said of Crosby's move past Dionne. "Really happy for him, and, again, it seems like it's every week, it's a new one, so just incredible."

Novak, whose two early goals set the tone, said the win was badly needed after a difficult stretch on the road. "We're obviously fighting for wins, and, you know, it's good for us to get one here and hopefully keep it going on the road trip," Novak said.

Los Angeles coach Peter Laviolette pointed to turnovers and missed chances as the difference. "I mean, that's any sport, turnovers are a big deal — football, basketball, baseball, hockey," Laviolette said.

Why It Matters

For Pittsburgh, the win is about more than two points. Road losing streaks can define a season, and seven straight defeats away from home had become a heavy weight on a team trying to stay in the playoff race. Ending it in the building where the franchise's captain passed a Kings legend gives the victory extra meaning.

For Crosby, the milestone cements his place among the game's all-time greats. Sixth on the points list puts him behind only Wayne Gretzky, Jaromir Jagr, Mark Messier, Gordie Howe and Ron Francis. For Los Angeles, the loss is a missed opportunity at home: the Kings had a tying goal taken away by video review but could not finish.

What Happens Next

Pittsburgh does not have long to enjoy the win. The Penguins visit the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, the next stop on their western road trip, looking to build a winning streak for the first time in weeks. Los Angeles stays home, with three games remaining on its seven-game homestand, and will look to tighten up defensively after a night in which it outshot Pittsburgh in stretches but still lost by three.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of Penguins vs Kings?
The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Los Angeles Kings 5-2 on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena.

How many goals did Sidney Crosby score?
Crosby scored twice. His second-period goal was his 1,772nd career point, moving him past Marcel Dionne into sixth place on the NHL's all-time points list.

Who else scored for the Penguins?
Tommy Novak scored twice in the first 5:10, and Egor Chinakhov added a power-play goal. Evgeni Malkin had three assists.

How long was the Penguins' road losing streak?
Seven games. Pittsburgh was 0-6-1 away from home since beating Philadelphia 7-0 in the season opener on September 30.

Who do the Penguins play next?
Pittsburgh visits the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

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