Kings-Penguins after two periods: Penguins 2, Kings 1

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The pace slowed only slightly in the second period, in which the Penguins scored the only goal and took a 2-1 lead.

Defenseman Brooks Orpik, a left-handed shooter skating up the right wing, managed to push the puck behind Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi -- his longtime friend and former Pittsburgh teammate -- and get it to Bill Guerin. The veteran winger slid it back to Orpik, whose long shot was redirected by Chris Kunitz just enough to elude Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick at 10:51.

The Kings gained a power play soon after, when Pittsburgh’s Mark Eaton got a delay of game penalty for shooting the puck over the glass at 11:51, but they couldn’t manage to get off a shot.

Emotions boiled over at 17:55 and left the Kings shorthanded at 17:53. Justin Williams was called for high-sticking Kunitz, and although the puck ended up behind Marc-Andre Fleury the officials immediately waved it off. At the stoppage players jostled and jawed, and Michal Handzus of the Kings emerged with an extra minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Penguins nearly scored on the ensuing power play but Guerin hit the post with about 90 seconds left in the period.

More later at www.latimes.com/sports

-- Helene Elliott