The Captain showed the way tonight. These are the things the team captain does. Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists (4 points) after going scoreless in two games against the Islanders. It was Crosby's 23rd 4-point game since his rookie year of 2005-006, the most in the NHL over that period.
Crosby's had an assist on the first goal (by Malkin) to reach 600 points in his career, the 7th youngest NHL player to reach 600 points. Malkin's goal was his 48th and I'm betting he will get 50 by the end of the regular season. Crosby's goal then made it 2-1.
When Crosby AND Malkin score the Pens have only been defeated three times, ever.
Pascal Dupuis had an assist to extend his scoring streak to 13 games, the longest in the NHL this season. He also made a tremendous save in the final minute of the game in an empty net with Brent Johnson down on the ice.
Speaking of Brent Johnson, he played well taking into consideration how much time he has missed (his last game was in Buffalo in February). He also made a tremendous save to keep the score at 4-3. He shook of two bad goals early and proved why he is the consummate professional. It's much better to know he is the backup in the playoffs and not Brad Thiessen.
The final two minutes were interesting as Malkin inadventantly shot the puck over the glass and the Pens were shorthanded from their to the end of the game. But everyone played frantic defense, with Brooks Orpik blocking a couple of shots, and Jordan Staal got the empty net goal to secure the 5-3 victory.
Jame Neal scored the third goal for the Penguins on a beautiful pass from Crosby off of a rush on the power play.
It was a closely contested game as they all will be from here on and into the playoffs so it was good the Pens resurrected their A-game.
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