Crosby Scores Two As Penguins Drop Avs 4-1

Sid The Kid looks like he is now back on track. After a career 11-game goalscoring slump where he scored only once, Sidney Crosby has 7 goals, 4 assists, for 11 points in his last 3 games as his Pittsburgh Penguins handed the Colorado Avalanche their 5th loss in 6 games. Meanwhile, the Pens are headed in the other direction with 6 wins in their last 7 games, and Pittsburgh is now tied with the Washington Capitals for the lead in the Eastern Conference with 40 points each.

T.J. Galiardi put the Avalanche up 1-0 with a power play goal at 5:02 of the 1st period, but that was about all the offence Colorado could muster, managing a meager 16 total shots on Pittsburgh goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. With 7 seconds left in the first period, Crosby got his 1st of 2 on the night, on a nice give and go with center Mike Rupp as Crosby stuffed in his 18th.

The Pens went up 2-1 as Bill Guerin scored on the power play 7:15 into the 3rd after a scoreless 2nd period. Late in the period, Colorado pulled Peter Budaj for the extra attacker, but Jordan Staal scored into the empty net. But Colorado kept Budaj out of the net and Crosby was Johnny on the spot, getting another goal, with Staal and Evgeni Malkin getting assists. For Malkin, that was his 3rd assist of the night.

Crosby has had at least 3 points in his last 3 games after busting loose for 5 points in the Penguins' 8-3 win over the New York Rangers November 28th.

The Penguins host the Chacago Blackhawks on December 5th, while the Avalanche also play on Saturday when they head to Columbus to meet the Blue Jackets.