Kennedy, Johnson lead Penguins past Thrashers 5-2

ATLANTA (AP) — Tyler Kennedy scored the first of Pittsburgh’s four second-period goals, reserve goalie Brent Johnson won his fourth straight decision, and the Penguins closed the regular season with a 5-2 victory Sunday over the already-eliminated Atlanta Thrashers.

Pascal Dupuis, Michael Rupp and rookie Mark Letestu added goals to give the Penguins a 4-1 lead 18:14 into the second. Kennedy’s 21st goal came on a power play.

Late in the third, Mike Comrie scored an empty-net goal to make it 5-1. Ben Lovejoy finished with three assists.

The Thrashers, who missed the playoffs for the 10th time in their 11-year history, scored twice on power plays. Andrew Ladd’s 29th goal came on a two-man advantage to make it 1-0 early. Tim Stapleton added his fifth to cut the deficit to 4-2 with 6:45 left in the game.