Associated Press
Sidney Crosby's return after three months of inactivity didn't hurt the chemistry of the Pittsburgh Penguins one bit as they cut the No. 1 Rangers' Eastern Conference lead to four points.
Crosby played for the first time since another bout with concussion symptoms forced him to the sidelines Dec. 5. He had an assist as the Penguins stretched their winning streak to 10 by beating the Rangers 5-2 at Madison Square Garden. It marked the first time this season that the Rangers allowed five goals.
Matt Cooke scored twice, Tyler Kennedy had two assists and NHL points leader Evgeni Malkin added a goal for the Penguins.
Crosby assisted on Chris Kunitz's goal that made it 4-2 at 3:01 of the third period, shortly after the Rangers had killed a 4-minute, high-sticking penalty on Stu Bickel.
Pascal Dupuis pushed the Penguins' lead to 5-2 at 7:35.
Carl Hagelin got the Rangers even at 1-1 in the first period, and Marian Gaborik brought New York within 3-2 late in the second with his 35th goal. Brad Richards had two assists, and Gaborik and Hagelin both had one for the potent line that has scored the team's last seven goals over three games.
Rangers goalie Martin Biron stopped 27 shots after being forced to start his second straight game in place of Henrik Lundqvist, who is still feeling the effects of the flu. The Rangers were also without Ryan Callahan (bruised foot) and defenseman Michael Del Zotto (hip).
• COMMENT ON BLUESHIRTS UNITED | PHOTO GALLERY
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STAT OF THE GAME
The Blueshirts held the Penguins scoreless in four shorthanded situations (6:00 of icetime), and are now 29-for-32 (90.6 percent) on the penalty kill in the last 10 contests. The Rangers’ penalty kill has held opponents scoreless in six of the last eight games (24-for-26, 92.3 percent). |
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| (selected by newyorkrangers.com) |
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| 1. Gaborik |
2. Hagelin |
3. Richards |
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