Crosby delivers for Penguins
Penguins rookie Sidney Crosby beat Jose Theodore with a backhander for the only goal in the first shootout in Montreal Canadiens history and host Pittsburgh recovered after losing a two-goal lead for a 3-2 victory Thursday night.
Crosby got a goal that counted in regulation, and so did Mario Lemieux on the next shift after he lay prone on the ice after being hit by a stick. Jocelyn Thibault – previously winless – turned aside 30 shots in easily his best game of the season.
The Penguins made two roster moves.
Former top draft choice Marc-Andre Fleury was recalled by the team because of a quadriceps injury to goaltender Sebastien Caron. John LeClair returned to the lineup after missing three games with several broken bones in his right cheekbone.
Senators 5, Bruins 2: At Boston, Dany Heatley scored two goals and set a franchise record for the longest consecutive point streak, leading Ottawa to the win. Heatley has scored in all 14 games for Ottawa this season, and he has 13 goals and 26 points.
Flyers 3, Islanders 2: At Philadelphia, Patrick Sharp scored two goals, including the tiebreaker early in the third period, and Philadelphia overcame a two-goal deficit to win its fifth straight. Jeff Carter had a goal and two assists, and Antero Niittymaki made 38 saves for the Flyers, who have won eight straight at home.
Rangers 5, Lightning 2: At Tampa, Fla., Dominic Moore scored twice during New York’s four-goal third period and the Rangers sent the defending Stanley Cup champions to their fifth straight loss. Henrik Lundqvist had 23 saves for the Rangers, who have won four straight on the road. The Rangers (10-5-3) went to five games better than .500 for the first time since 2001.
Predators 5, Stars 3: At Nashville, Tenn., Steve Sullivan scored three goals, two on the power play, and had a chance at a fourth with a penalty shot in Nashville’s victory over Dallas. Sullivan scored twice in the third period to earn the hat trick.
Blackhawks 4, Blues 2: At St. Louis, Jim Vandermeer scored two goals, one tapped in by a hapless opponent, to help Chicago run St. Louis’ franchise-record losing streak to 10. Mark Bell also scored for the Blackhawks, who have won two straight for the first time in 41 games.
Flames 4, Coyotes 3: At Glendale, Ariz., Jarome Iginla had two assists and scored the winning goal on a penalty shot, lifting Calgary over Phoenix. The loss snapped Curtis Joseph’s three-game winning streak and left him in a tie with Grant Fuhr, his goaltending coach, for eighth on the NHL list with 403 wins. He made 39 saves.
Avalanche 5, Canucks 3: At Vancouver, B.C., Colorado scored four times in the first 13 minutes and snapped the Canucks’ perfect home record. Colorado has won six of seven games, including three against the Canucks.