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Kings get big win against Pens (not just because they finally scored)

Pittsburgh Penguins v Los Angeles Kings

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 05: Chris Kunitz #14 of the Pittsburgh Penguins bumps with Jeff Carter #77 and Milan Lucic #17 of the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at Staples Center on December 5, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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Did the Los Angeles Kings need a win more than any other team on Thursday? That seems like a reasonable point, considering the notion that they probably needed a goal more than anyone else.

After matching a 1968-69 Kings unit that failed to score a goal in three straight games, Los Angeles managed to break through on Thursday.

To sweeten the deal, Nic Dowd’s hard work paid off as he scored the overtime-winner in a 3-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins:

More tough times ahead?

Looking at the Kings’ schedule, this win carries that much more importance.

After Saturday’s home game against the Calgary Flames, they face a five-game road trip largely against Canadian teams from Nov. 8-15. On paper, you’d expect that to be a tough stretch, but who knows? The Kings are finding ways to win amid serious injury issues and Peter Budaj being their go-to goale - in 2016 - so this team is showing some serious backbone.

Of course, they’ve proven their resolve in two Stanley Cup runs, but considering the mounting number of doubters, this is the kind of stretch that could very well build that defiant streak back up again.

(Or it will just put them in a very vulnerable position.)