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Pens top Panthers for fifth straight win

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Sunrise, FL (Sports Network) - Tyler Kennedy had two goals as the Pittsburgh Penguins took a 4-1 decision over the Florida Panthers at BankAtlantic Center.

Kris Letang scored a goal while Marc-Andre Fleury made 31 saves for the Penguins, who have won five straight.

Sidney Crosby, who had missed the previous four games with a strained left groin, returned to the lineup and had a goal.

Pittsburgh brought in veteran forward Bill Guerin from the New York Islanders for a conditional draft choice at Wednesday's trade deadline.

The 38-year-old Guerin is a four-time All-Star and was a member of the New Jersey Devils' Stanley Cup champion squad in 1994-95.

Pittsburgh also claimed defensive-minded forward Craig Adams off waivers from Chicago on Wednesday.

Radek Dvorak scored the lone goal for the Panthers, who had won three of four coming into the game. Tomas Vokoun made 43 saves in the loss.

Florida was rumored to be looking to ship out defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, an impending free agent who figures to be tough for the club to retain, but did not pull the trigger on any potential deals for the standout blueliner before the deadline.

However, Florida added a defenseman on Wednesday, acquiring Steve Eminger from Tampa Bay in exchange for rearguard Noah Welch and a third-round selection in this year's draft.

Florida, Pittsburgh and the New York Rangers all have 74 points to occupy the final three spots in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.

After a scoreless first period, Florida took the initial lead with 2:11 to play in the second, as Greg Campbell skated behind the net and from the left side threw it out front for Dvorak, who tapped it in.

However, Pittsburgh answered just 24 seconds later as Guerin sprung Crosby with a lead pass and Crosby then split the defenders and snapped a wrister into the right corner of the net.

The Pens took the lead for good just 2:24 into the third period. Matt Cooke had the puck along the deep right boards during a scrum and flicked it out front, where Kennedy blasted it home.

The Penguins took a 3-1 advantage a bit over two minutes later on a wrister into the left corner of the net from Letang.

Kennedy then sealed the win with 4:26 to play.

Game Notes

The Pens play at Washington on Sunday...Florida hosts St. Louis on Saturday...Neither team scored on the power play with Pittsburgh having four chances and Florida two.

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