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

A strong start became a weak finish, just as a strong effort Monday was washed away in a pond of mistakes and bad plays. The Pittsburgh Penguins (20-22-8) couldn’t find a second goal before bad plays and bad luck found them in a 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks (19-23-6) at the Honda Center Friday.

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,

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.

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.

The Penguins fail to stay hot in California, getting outclassed in a 5-1 loss against the Ducks in Anaheim on Thursday.

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night at Honda Center. The Ducks entered this game on a four-game winless streak and had only won one of their last seven games. The Pens were fresh off a big 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday but had only won three of their last 13 entering this game.

The Ducks score three goals in the third period to end their four-game losing streak in a 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.