STUMPEL GETS THE MESSAGE CENTER'S GOAL COMES AT IMPORTANT TIME KINGS 2, PITTSBURGH 2.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH - Even when the Kings were winning, Jozef Stumpel was skating backward. He knew when coach Andy Murray was asking his best players to be his best players every night, that included him.

For the first time in three weeks, Stumpel played that kind of game, scoring early in the third period of Saturday's 2-2 tie with the Pittsburgh Penguins and showing the kind of strength up front that Murray needs from his top center.

``He was terrific,'' said Ziggy Palffy, who added a goal and assist to his league-leading total. ``Every night can't be great. We play different teams and different things happen. But tonight Stumpy showed the kind of player he is.''

Stumpel's goal just 3:59 into the final period quieted the sellout crowd of 16,958 at Mellon Arena, although not for long.

Just 32 seconds later, Alexei Kovalev tied it with a 25-foot wrist shot that beat Jamie Storr. Each team had a few scoring chances after that, but the Kings will take the point.

After a 6-1 drubbing by New Jersey on Thanksgiving ended the Kings' unbeaten streak at eight games, Murray singled out top players Palffy and Rob Blake for their sluggish performances. Saturday, Palffy increased his scoring total to 32 points. Blake helped the Kings contain Pittsburgh superstar Jaromir Jagr.

``Everybody contributed,'' Stumpel said. ``We are disappointed we didn't get the win, but the effort was there. That's the important thing.''

Stumpel could have been put in there as well. In the first seven games after ending his contract holdout, Stumpel had five goals. After that he went flat, with one goal and two assists in his next seven.

``There were a lot of players who did not do well (vs. New Jersey),'' general manager Dave Taylor said. ``But we would like to see Stumpy pick up his game. You figure a player who has been out would tail off a little after the first few games. But he has been back awhile. He's been good on the power play, but we need more from him in the five-on-five situations.''

Palffy, who was benched for poor play in the third period Thursday, responded Saturday with a first-period power-play goal. But Storr also came up big in the second when Pittsburgh played with the man advantage for eight minutes, including 1:17 with a five-on-three.

The Penguins outshot the Kings 17-4 for the period and 31-28 for the game.

The Penguins were coming off an emotional 1-0 victory Friday afternoon, their first win in Philadelphia since 1994. Former Flyer goaltender Garth Snow picked up the shutout. Snow was back in net, but it was up to the fresher Kings to wear down the Penguins.

Midway through the first period, the Kings went on the power play with Rene Corbet off for interference. Mathieu Schneider let go a slap shot from the blue line. Palffy raised his stick to deflect the puck, which bounced before sailing under Snow's feet.

Pittsburgh contended that Palffy's stick was above shoulder level, which is illegal, and the play was reviewed. Back on Oct. 21, the Kings lost to Dallas 4-3 after a similar goal by Brett Hull.

Both times the goal stood.

In addition to leading the NHL with 31 points, it was Palffy's 19th point on the power play, a league high. Eight of his 12 goals also have come with the man advantage, tied for second with Boston's Joe Thornton.

The Kings lead lasted just 17 seconds into the second period. Storr stopped a slap shot by Darius Kasparaitis, but Martin Straka got the rebound and scored on a backhander to make it 1-1.

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2 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) Kings' Jamie Storr stops Penguins' Roman Simicek on a first-period shot.

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

(2) Kings' Ziggy Palffy fires a shot past Penguins' Garth Snow for a first-period goal.

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press