Facing what was arguably a must-win game for all intents and purposes, the Anaheim Ducks cruised to a dominant victory Thursday night over Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and perhaps Rickard Rakell got some good news since Sunday. Rakell left the team sometime after the loss on Saturday to the Washington Capitals to return to Pittsburgh and tend to a family matter.

Mason McTavish and Alex Killorn end their scoring slumps with two goals apiece, John Gibson makes 31 saves and the Ducks snap a four-game losing streak with a 5-1 win.

ANAHEIM -- Mason McTavish and Alex Killorn each scored two goals for the Anaheim Ducks in a 5-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Honda Center on Thursday. Frank Vatrano also scored, and Troy Terry and Jacob Trouba each had two assists for the Ducks (19-23-6), who had lost four straight (0-3-1). John Gibson made 31 saves.

Vatrano continues to be a dependable contributor for the Ducks this season. Here's why you should keep watching him over the second half.

The Pittsburgh Penguins this week headed out for the West Coast portion of their season-long road trip with, at least at first, mixed results. A win that could serve as a template for how to play. Then a loss that left the Penguins perhaps wanting to throw away the game tape.

Forward Bryan Rust left the game with a lower-body injury and did not return as Penguins failed to muster any offense

It was a tough night for the Penguins on Thursday in Anaheim. Not only were they unable to carry over the momentum from Monday’s win over Los Angeles – they lost winger Bryan Rust late in the second period.

Pittsburgh starts off strong with the first seven shots of the game but can’t crack John Gibson to score. Then an invisible switch flips and it’s Anaheim who get

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust suffered an undisclosed injury and prematurely exited a 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. on Thursday. Aside from a posting on one of the team’s social media accounts acknowledging the ailment,

The Pittsburgh Penguins (20-21-8) again have a chance to get back to hockey .500, but more importantly, stack wins on a pivotal seven-game road trip. Thus far, the Penguins are 2-1-0 in the first three games and inching back into the continually mediocre middle of the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The Ducks jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first five minutes against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Tuesday when Frank Vatrano scored a power-play goal. However, Anaheim then surrendered three consecutive goals in the period, including Carter Verhaeghe's tally that proved to be the game-winner.