Pittsburgh refused to roll over in Los Angeles, erasing a two-goal hole and turning the game on its head with a steady, determined comeback that finished 4-2. After a sloppy start gave the Kings an early two-goal cushion, the Penguins tightened their structure, leaned on veteran scoring and caught fire at the right moments to secure the win.
First period — Kings jump ahead
Warren Foegele opened the scoring for the Kings to give Los Angeles early life. The goal came off a sharp forecheck that forced a turnover in Pittsburgh’s zone, and Foegele finished the chance with a quick shot to the net. The Kings then doubled the lead when Kevin Fiala found the back of the net on a play that created traffic in front and gave the Penguins’ goalie little room to see the puck. Pittsburgh closed the period needing a response.
Second period — Penguins chip away and tie it
Early in the second, the Penguins got the game back within one when Evgeni Malkin converted on the power play, snapping a heavy one-timer past the Kings’ goaltender and swinging momentum. Not long after, Connor Dewar finished a second-chance scramble, burying a rebound to knot the score at 2-2 and put Pittsburgh on even footing. The remainder of the period saw the Penguins play with more urgency, controlling the pace and generating chances through the middle of the ice.
Third period — go-ahead and insurance
The decisive sequence began when Rickard Rakell drove to the net and created chaos on a rebound; Filip Hallander — who notched his first NHL goal in the comeback — finished the play, tipping home the loose puck to give Pittsburgh its first lead of the night. Hallander’s goal energized the bench and the penalty killers held the fort whenever Los Angeles pushed back. Late in the game Sidney Crosby iced the result with an empty-net goal, putting the game out of reach and making it 4-2.
Goaltending and key moments
Arturs Silovs was steady all night, turning aside 30 shots and weathering a difficult opening stretch to keep the Penguins in the game. The penalty kill answered the bell after the tie, and timely faceoff wins and puck retrievals along the boards helped Pittsburgh sustain pressure on Los Angeles throughout the middle frame and into the third.
What this means and next up
The comeback win showcased Pittsburgh’s depth scoring and veteran leadership under pressure, giving the team a confidence boost on the road. The Penguins travel next to San Jose to face the Sharks at the SAP Center on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Three Stars
1st Star —PIT- Filip Hallander: Game-winning goal (first NHL goal) and huge momentum swing for Pittsburgh.
2nd Star —PIT- Arturs Silovs: Strong night in net with 30 saves, weathering the early storm and giving the team a chance to rally.
3rd Star — LA- Warren Foegele: Opened the scoring for Los Angeles and helped set the early tempo for the Kings.