Rust scores in OT, Penguins defeat Kings 

LOS ANGELES – Bryan Rust scored at 3:45 of overtime to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 4-3 win against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.

Rust took a drop pass from Evgeni Malkin in the right face-off circle, and his wraparound beat Pheonix Copley at the left post.

“I was able to get out there right away again and make the most of it,” said Rust, who appeared to have scored at 3:26 of overtime, but a video review determined he was offside in the buildup to the goal.

“I’ve never seen two OT winners in one game,” Pittsburgh forward Lars Eller said. “But it's great that he stuck with it. It was really telling for our team today that we never quit and if it didn't work out, we went out the next shift and tried again.”

Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist for the Penguins (6-6-0), becoming the 11th player in NHL history to have 450 multipoint games. Erik Karlsson had two assists, and Magnus Hellberg made 33 saves.

Anze Kopitar had an assist for his 1,155th career point, passing Luc Robitaille for second in Los Angeles history, and the Kings (8-2-3) extended their point streak to eight games (6-0-2). Copley allowed four goals on 20 shots.

“It seems to be happening every night,” Los Angeles coach Todd McLellan said of Kopitar’s latest milestone, which came after scoring his 400th goal in a 4-1 win at the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. “The sun comes up and it goes down, and 'Kopi' sets a record and we move on, so I just think it’s another hockey game. But it isn’t. It should be recognized, acknowledging the type of career he’s had. But it’s happening over and over again, which is great for him.”

Kevin Fiala tied it 3-3 at 6:40 of the third period, shooting a rebound into an open net after Hellberg made two initial saves.

“You’re not going to be at your best for 82 games,” McLellan said. “There’s going to be your best game and your worst game in 82, doesn’t matter if you win or lose. I don’t know where this one will fit in, but you have to find ways to scratch and claw points out of those nights, and at least we got one tonight.”

Pittsburgh took a 3-2 lead 37 seconds into the third when Jake Guentzel tapped in Crosby’s cross-ice pass from the crease.

Crosby scored on a wraparound at the left post to put the Penguins up 1-0 at 7:11 of the first period.

Carl Grundstrom scored short-handed at 14:14 to tie it 1-1. His one-timer from the slot beat Hellberg on a pass from Kopitar.

Adrian Kempe put the Kings up 2-1 at 9:58 of the second period. He scored on a wrist shot from the left circle off the rush for his 12th point (five goals, seven assists) during an eight-game point streak, the longest of his NHL career.

Eller tied it 2-2 at 18:03 on the Penguins’ first short-handed goal of the season. He picked up the loose puck after Fiala misplayed it in the neutral zone and scored on a wrist shot from the high slot.

Pittsburgh swept a three-game California road trip for the second time in franchise history, having done so in 1996-97.

“I know it was an ugly win,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “I don't think we were at our best. … But I just thought we kept competing. It's obviously a great road trip for us. I think it's something that we can build on.”

NOTES: Crosby has scored all 557 of his NHL goals for the Penguins. He tied Mike Modano (557 for the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars) and Robitaille (557 for the Kings) for ninth in League history with one franchise. … Kings forward Quinton Byfield got his eighth assist during a five-game point streak. … Kopitar has six points (three goals, three assists) during a five-game point streak.