Much-maligned Kings forward Dustin Penner scored a huge goal for his team Wednesday.
With Los Angeles and Vancouver tied 2-2 late in the third period, Penner took a neat off-the-skate pass from Jeff Carter and buried the puck behind Roberto Luongo.
The Kings would add an empty-netter to make it 4-2 and take Game 1 of their first-round series with the two-time Presidents’ Trophy winners.
It was a rare moment to celebrate for Penner, the affable but overpaid winger.
And then Darryl Sutter ruined it.
“He can be a whole lot better for all three periods,” said the Kings’ coach of Penner. “You’re talking about him because he scored one goal. If it’s just about scoring, then I don’t think we’re going to beat this team 5-4 or 6-5. I highly doubt that. You have to be very good, 200 feet, everywhere on the ice.”
Penner wasn’t able to respond to his coach’s comments, as he’d already run up the stairs, slammed the door, and yelled something about nothing ever being good enough.
