Penguins thump Kings, 6-1

In Pittsburgh, the Penguins routed the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, 6-1.Six different skaters potted goals for the Pens.

Tristan Jarry made 39 saves and missed a shutout in the later minutes of the third period.

“I think I just want to get better every year,” Jarry said. “Every year, I want to take a step. Every year I come in, I’m a little bit more mature. I have a little more, I guess, games under me. So just being able to start, knowing what to expect, it does nothing but help.”

Carl Grundstrom  scored a power play goal after the Penguins had taken a 6-0 lead.

Jan Rutta, Jake Guentzel,and Rickard Rakell scored for a 3-0 first period lead.

“When I look at the start we had, I thought we played the way we wanted to play,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “We played fast. We were aggressive, forced them into situations where they had to turn the puck over. Things were going pretty well for us. Even after the first goal, I thought we responded well. By the time it got to three, unfortunately, it wasn’t the same way anymore.”

Jeff Petry and Jeff Carter extended the lead to 5-0.

“To get the first one is a relief,” Petry said. “I’ve had some looks, had some good shots. It’s good to get that one under my belt.”

Ryan Poehling rubbed salt in the wound with a shorthanded goal to give the Pens a 6-0 advantage.

“Being down 3-0 after the first period certainly doesn’t help,” Kings captain Anze Kopitar said. “I didn’t think our play was that bad. Just a couple tough breaks. We’re down 3-0 and then you’re obviously playing catch up. You’re trying to make something happen. It didn’t happen tonight.”

Cal Petersen made six saves and yielded three goals before getting the hook.

Jonathan Quick made 22 saves in a 40-minute mop up role..

“I guess with Cal, there’s no secret we have to get him going,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “He has to play like he can play. He’s an NHL goaltender. He’s an outstanding young man that’s played extremely well at this level. We’re trying, just like we would with forwards and defensemen, to get him to where he can be. He has to be better.”