Kindel’s Two-Goal Night Lifts Penguins Past Canucks, 3–2.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Rookie Ben Kindel scored twice during the second period as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3–2 on Sunday, completing a sweep of their four-game road trip through Western Canada. Kindel, an 18-year-old native of nearby Coquitlam, British Columbia, recorded his second multi-goal performance of the season in front of a large group of family and supporters. After going 20 games without scoring, he now has 10 goals and 12 assists in 48 games. Evgeni Malkin added the remaining goal for Pittsburgh (26–14–11). Goaltender Stuart Skinner made 19 saves and earned his seventh win in eight appearances. Kevin Lankinen stopped 21 shots for Vancouver (17–30–5). Pittsburgh took control in the second period when Malkin opened the scoring by finishing a pass from Thomas Novak that slipped past a Vancouver defender. Just over three minutes later, Kindel redirected a shot from defenseman Ryan Shea to make it 2–0. Kindel struck again late in the period, scoring from the faceoff circle to extend the lead to 3–0. Vancouver responded in the third period with goals from Jake DeBrusk and Teddy Blueger but could not complete the comeback. The loss marked the Canucks’ second straight defeat and continued their struggles, as they have just one win in their last 14 games (1–11–2). Goaltender Thatcher Demko missed his eighth consecutive game due to a lower-body injury.

The Penguins opened their road trip with wins over Seattle, Calgary, and Edmonton before closing it out in Vancouver. Defenseman Kris Letang returned to the lineup after missing two games with an upper-body injury. Pittsburgh will host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, while Vancouver continues its homestand Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks.