NHL : Crosby scores twice as Penguins beat Leafs

Sidney Crosby scored his first two goals of the season, including the winner with 5 minutes, 22 seconds left in the third period, to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a wild 6-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night at Toronto.

The crowd of 19,479 at Air Canada Centre got its money’s worth in a game that featured plenty of goals, even more chances, and little defense.

On the deciding goal, Crosby banged a loose puck into an empty net after goalie Vesa Toskala stopped Darryl Sydor’s point shot on a power play only to have the puck trickle behind him to Crosby.

It was the lone power-play goal of the night.

Maxime Talbot added a pair of goals, and Ryan Malone and Erik Christensen also scored to help the Penguins improve to 2-2-0.

Jason Blake, Mats Sundin, Nik Antropov and Darcy Tucker replied for the Maple Leafs, who dropped to 2-3-1.

Toskala was solid despite letting in five goals, stopping 46 shots – one short of his career high.

The Leafs were handed a power play with 1:32 to go in the third period, but couldn’t capitalize, and Talbot ended it with an empty-netter with 49.2 seconds left.

Crosby has never had a fighting major in the NHL but came close late in the second period, exchanging a few face washes with Antropov. Both players got roughing penalties.

Avalanche 5, Blue Jackets 1: At Denver, Joe Sakic got his 15th career hat trick and Colorado beat Columbus. The 38-year-old team captain scored twice in the third period, helping the Avalanche pull away. He scored a power-play goal 1:21 into the final frame, and then added his fourth goal of the season with 9:22 left when he beat Blue Jackets goalie Pascal Leclaire with a shot from the right circle.

Blackhawks 2, Stars 1 (OT): At Chicago, Jason Williams scored a power-play goal 43 seconds into overtime to give the Blackhawks a win over Dallas.

Bruins 2, Sharks 1: At San Jose, Calif., Aaron Ward scored with 12 seconds left, just moments after San Jose had tied the game, and Boston ruined the Sharks’ home opener. Patrice Bergeron scored early and Tim Thomas recorded 26 saves to help the Bruins win in San Jose for the first time in eight years.

Canucks 4, Oilers 1: At Vancouver, British Columbia, Henrik Sedin set up twin brother Daniel for two goals 2:18 apart in the second period to break open a close game and help the Canucks beat Edmonton. Henrik Sedin added his third assist on Taylor Pyatt’s goal in the third period, and Brendan Morrison also scored for the Canucks, who won 5-2 in Edmonton on Friday and have beaten the Oilers seven straight games dating to last season.

Devils 6, Thrashers 5: At Atlanta, Patrik Elias scored two goals, including a power-play one with 27 seconds left, to help New Jersey beat the winless Thrashers.

Flames 7, Predators 4: At Nashville, Tenn., Kristian Huselius scored two goals, and Flames captain Jarome Iginla had a goal and an assist to help Calgary beat the Predators.

Flyers 3, Islanders 1: At Philadelphia, Jeff Carter and Sami Kapanen each scored goals, and Martin Biron made 29 saves to lead the Flyers to a win over New York.

“Islanders forward Chris Simon returned from a 25-game suspension dating to last season.

Hurricanes 3, Canadiens 1: At Montreal, Cory Stillman and Matt Cullen scored power-play goals and Carolina spoiled the Canadiens’ home opener.

Panthers 6, Lightning 4: At Sunrise, Fla., Olli Jokinen had a goal and two assists to tie Scott Mellanby for Florida’s career scoring lead in the Panthers’ victory over Tampa Bay.

Sabres 7, Capitals 3: At Buffalo, N.Y., Derek Roy and Jaroslav Spacek scored two goals each and the Sabres beat Washington.

Senators 3, Rangers 1: At New York, Dany Heatley scored the first of Ottawa’s three goals in a team-record 52 seconds of the middle period, and Martin Gerber made 36 saves to lift the Senators to a victory over the Rangers.

Wild 3, Coyotes 2: At Glendale, Ariz., Eric Belanger scored a short-handed goal late in the third period and Minnesota rallied to beat Phoenix. Belanger knocked in the rebound from a Stephane Veilleux backhander at 16:45. That came just more than three minutes after Mikko Koivu tied the game for Minnesota with 6:20 remaining.