J.T. Compher scored the go-ahead goal on a power play with 5:34 left as the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 on Tuesday night.
Detroit’s coach Todd McLellan, who took over for Derek Lalonde last week, earned his 600th career win. He is now 2-1-0 behind the Red Wings’ bench.
Compher and Jonatan Berggren each had a goal and an assist, while Patrick Kane and Dylan Larkin also scored for Detroit. Alex Lyon made 23 saves in goal.
Drew O’Connor scored twice for Pittsburgh, marking the second multigoal game of his career. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 21 shots.
With the win, Detroit took the season series 2-1.
Compher’s decisive goal came while Erik Karlsson was in the penalty box for tripping. Compher tipped in a shot by Erik Gustafsson, who had hit the post with a shot from the point.
Larkin added an empty-net goal with 14 seconds left to seal the win.
Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Detroit got on the board first at 7:52 of the first period. Vladimir Tarasenko made a perfect pass from his own zone to Berggren, who broke away and beat Nedeljkovic with a shot to the top shelf. Compher earned the second assist on the play.
Pittsburgh tied it at 18:29 of the first when O’Connor’s slapshot from the right circle, off a pass from Cody Glass, beat Lyon on the short side.
Detroit regained the lead on a power play at 3:41 of the second. With Glass in the penalty box for tripping, Kane fired a shot from the right circle that went past Nedeljkovic’s glove. Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond assisted on the goal.
Pittsburgh had a chance to respond on the power play when Larkin was called for holding, but Detroit’s penalty kill kept them off the board.
In the closing seconds of the second period, Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider blocked two shots from Anthony Beauvillier during a scramble in front of the net with Lyon out of position, preserving the Red Wings’ 2-1 lead.
The Penguins tied the game early in the third while Jeff Petry was in the penalty box. O’Connor scored on a rebound while being knocked to his knees, with assists from Karlsson and Sidney Crosby.
Crosby Becomes Penguins’ All-Time Assists Leader in 3-2 Win Over Islanders, Surpassing Lemieux
Sidney Crosby, the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has added another significant achievement to his career by becoming the franchise’s all-time assists leader. On Sunday, during a 3-2 victory over the New York Islanders, Crosby surpassed the previous record held by Mario Lemieux. He earned his 1,034th career assist by setting up teammate Michael Bunting, which was met with a loud standing ovation from the crowd at Pittsburgh’s arena.
With this milestone, Crosby now sits at 12th place in NHL history for career assists. His achievement is particularly impressive considering only three players—Ray Bourque, Wayne Gretzky, and Steve Yzerman—have recorded more assists with a single team. Crosby’s ability to reach this mark is a testament to his longevity and skill on the ice.
Crosby Becomes Penguins’ All-Time Assists Leader in 3-2 Win Over Islanders, Surpassing Lemieux
After the game, Crosby reflected on the accomplishment, expressing that he appreciates these milestones more as time passes. He acknowledged the influence of past players and how proud he is to be part of such an esteemed group. His humility was evident as he spoke about the privilege of following in the footsteps of players like Lemieux.
Lemieux himself congratulated Crosby on his achievement, calling him an “amazing player” and expressing how fortunate the team is to have him in Pittsburgh. Crosby, 37, has played 1,310 regular-season games, far surpassing Lemieux’s 915 games. When asked about what he planned to do with the puck from his record-breaking assist, Crosby shared that he would likely give it to his father to keep as a keepsake.
The Pittsburgh Penguins showed over the four weeks leading up to the NHL’s holiday break that their most successful era might not be over just yet.
In contrast, the New York Islanders have not given much evidence that they can extend the team’s most successful run in decades.
The two teams, heading in different directions, will face off Saturday night when the Penguins visit the Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., to start a home-and-home series.
Both teams played on Monday night, with the Penguins continuing their strong play with a 7-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, while the Islanders were beaten 7-1 by the Buffalo Sabres.
The win was the ninth in the last 13 games (9-3-1) for Pittsburgh, who since Thanksgiving has risen to fourth place in the Metropolitan Division and is just one point behind the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
Their surge began on Nov. 27 when they were last in the Metropolitan and five points out of a wild-card spot after a 5-4 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
The Penguins have scored five or more goals in seven of their last 13 games, after struggling to score four or fewer goals in 18 consecutive games prior to the win over the Canucks.
Key players Bryan Rust, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, who were all part of the Penguins’ Stanley Cup-winning teams in 2016 and 2017, have scored 17 goals since Nov. 27. The trio had just 12 goals in the team’s first 23 games.
New York Islanders (NHL)
Sidney Crosby, a three-time Cup champion, has 16 assists in the last 13 games after having just 13 assists in the first 23 games.
“I think you learn a lot about your group when you struggle and you get to a bit of a funk — can you bring yourself back out of it?” Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said during a broadcast on Monday. “I think we obviously dug in, starting with that game against Vancouver. I’m proud of the group for the way they responded.”
The Islanders had the full holiday break to reflect on their latest disappointing loss. On Monday, they allowed a season-high number of goals when the Sabres took a 5-0 lead on their way to ending their 13-game losing streak.
The loss continued a tough season for the Islanders, who fell to last place in the Metropolitan Division with the defeat. Despite this, New York still has 11 players remaining from the teams that made back-to-back trips to the league semifinals in 2020 and 2021.
The Islanders also have 17 players left from squads that overcame slow starts in each of the previous two seasons to make the playoffs. However, they are running out of time to make a similar comeback.
The Islanders are currently five points behind the final wild-card spot and have only won back-to-back games twice. They are 6-10-4 against the 15 teams that were outside playoff spots as of Friday.
“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us,” Islanders center Bo Horvat said on Monday. “It’s not going to be an easy run. It’s not going to be an easy road to get back to where we want to get, but we have no one to blame but ourselves. We put ourselves in this situation, obviously.”
Sidney Crosby Ties Lemieux in Assists as Penguins Dominate Flyers with 7-3 Victory
Sidney Crosby’s stellar performance, including a goal and three assists, led the Pittsburgh Penguins to a decisive 7-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena. Crosby’s contributions brought his NHL assist total to 1,033, tying Mario Lemieux for the most in Penguins history. Reflecting on this milestone, Crosby humbly acknowledged the achievement, emphasizing the difference in the number of games played between himself and Lemieux. His leadership and playmaking were instrumental as the Penguins extended their positive streak, winning three out of their last four games.
Rickard Rakell added a goal and two assists, while Michael Bunting scored twice to bolster the Penguins’ offense. Bryan Rust also had a goal and an assist, with key contributions from Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson, who each provided two assists. Goaltender Tristan Jarry made 24 saves to secure the win. Meanwhile, the Flyers struggled defensively, pulling starting goalie Samuel Ersson after he allowed five goals on 14 shots, with Aleksei Kolosov stepping in for relief. Sean Couturier, Noah Cates, and Egor Zamula were the goal scorers for Philadelphia, who have now lost four of their last five games.
Sidney Crosby Ties Lemieux in Assists as Penguins Dominate Flyers with 7-3 Victory
The game started with a flurry of goals in the first period. Bryan Rust opened the scoring for Pittsburgh early, and after Zamula equalized for Philadelphia, the Penguins surged ahead. Rakell, Bunting, and Philip Tomasino each scored, with Tomasino’s goal following a masterful setup from Crosby. The Flyers struggled to contain Crosby’s line and faltered on special teams, allowing two power-play goals. Flyers coach John Tortorella noted the team’s shortcomings, emphasizing the need for improvement.
Philadelphia fought back in the second period, cutting the deficit to 4-3 with goals from Cates and Couturier. The Flyers outshot the Penguins 12-5 in the frame, showing signs of resilience. However, Michael Bunting’s second goal late in the period restored a two-goal cushion for Pittsburgh, dampening Philadelphia’s comeback hopes. Despite the Flyers’ effort, the Penguins’ ability to capitalize on their chances proved decisive.
The Penguins sealed their victory in the third period with Crosby scoring an empty-net goal and Blake Lizotte adding a power-play tally in the final seconds. Crosby’s dominant performance underscored his status as one of the NHL’s all-time greats, marking his 42nd career four-point game. The Penguins and Flyers will now head into the holiday break with contrasting trajectories, preparing to resume play on December 28.
Sidney Crosby never intended to mirror Mario Lemieux in terms of his importance to the Pittsburgh Penguins, his influence, or his statistics.
“I never thought about that,” said Crosby, the Penguins’ captain. “I dreamed of playing in the NHL, and I’m grateful for that, for all these years.”
However, on Monday, the 37-year-old center achieved a milestone that brought him closer to Lemieux in one category.
Crosby reached 1,033 assists in the NHL, tying Lemieux for the most in Penguins history, after recording three assists in the first period of a 7-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. He also added an empty-net goal at 17:30 of the third period.
“I don’t think about where I am on the list,” Crosby commented. “But being tied with Mario is pretty cool. Like I said, I never would’ve expected that, so it’s just a bonus.”
Crosby, selected first overall in the 2005 NHL Draft, holds the record for the most games played in Penguins history (1,308). He has accumulated 1,635 points and 602 goals, both second to Lemieux’s 1,723 points and 690 goals.
“Being in this company is elite,” said Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan. “Mario is one of the greatest players of all time, and so is Sid. The milestones these players have reached are extremely rare, and it’s evidence that Sid is one of the best to ever play the game. Mario is as well.”
Lemieux played 915 games for the Penguins after being selected first overall in the 1984 NHL Draft. He won two Stanley Cups as a player (1991, 1992) and three more as an owner (2009, 2016, 2017).
His stature in Pittsburgh is only rivaled by figures like Roberto Clemente, the former right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Joe Greene, the former defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“If a hockey figure could come close to that, it would be Sid,” said Bryan Rust, Crosby’s right-wing partner. “Sid’s importance to this franchise is right there with Mario’s. You can see how good he’s been throughout his career, and he just keeps going.”
Sidney Crosby (Photo: AP Photo)
Crosby currently leads the Penguins with 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) in 36 games this season, his 20th in the NHL. He has averaged at least one point per game in each of his first 19 seasons, tying Wayne Gretzky for the most in league history.
In his first 30 games this season, Crosby posted 27 points (eight goals, 19 assists), a slower start by his standards.
But he has found his form recently, tallying 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in his last six games, including two games in which he scored one goal and had three assists.
This improved performance has helped Pittsburgh (16-15-5), now 9-3-1 in its last 13 games since Nov. 27, move within one point of the Ottawa Senators for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
“Feels like he’s involved in every goal we score,” said Rakell, Crosby’s left-wing partner. “That’s definitely true with him and Rusty. He does it all, whether it’s the final touch or the last pass to create a dangerous scoring chance. The more he can have the puck on his stick in their zone, the better it will be for us.”
Crosby’s connection to the Penguins began in the 2005-06 season, his rookie year, and Lemieux’s last. At just 18 years old, Crosby amassed 102 points (39 goals, 63 assists) in 81 games. Lemieux, in his final season, had 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 26 games before retiring on Jan. 24, 2006, at age 40.
While Crosby may be closer to the end of his career than the beginning, his time in Pittsburgh is far from over.
He signed a two-year, $17.4 million contract ($8.7 million average annual value) on Sept. 16, extending his tenure with the Penguins through the 2026-27 season. He remains 88 goals and points behind Lemieux, offering him a chance to surpass his mentor in those categories as well.
“Their legacy just keeps growing,” Sullivan said. “It’s pretty incredible to have two generational players in one organization with some crossover. To have these two players represent your team and city for almost four decades—it’s a remarkable privilege.”
Sullivan continued, “It’s another milestone that cements Sid’s place in elite company. He’s undeniably one of the greatest players to ever play the game.”
Tkachuk's Overtime Goal Leads Senators to 3-2 Win Over Penguins, Marking Third Straight Victory
Brady Tkachuk delivered a dramatic overtime goal just 1:46 into the extra period, securing the Ottawa Senators a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Tkachuk’s game-winning play came after a slick toe-drag move around Erik Karlsson in the slot, followed by a wrist shot that beat Pittsburgh’s goalie, Tristan Jarry. The goal capped off a resilient performance by Ottawa, with Tkachuk stressing the importance of playing for each other and sticking to their identity. The Senators’ victory marked their third straight win, the team’s first three-game streak of the season.
Ottawa’s offense was balanced, with Thomas Chabot contributing both a goal and an assist. Chabot opened the scoring in the first period after Claude Giroux outwaited Jarry and fed him for a one-timer. Drake Batherson also found the back of the net, while Chabot’s assist on Batherson’s goal in the third period showcased a creative play. Head coach Travis Green lauded his team for their perseverance, particularly when Pittsburgh responded to tie the game in the third period. Ottawa’s ability to rebound from setbacks helped them clinch the win.
Tkachuk’s Overtime Goal Leads Senators to 3-2 Win Over Penguins, Marking Third Straight Victory
In net, Linus Ullmark was outstanding, making 25 saves to earn the victory. Ullmark, who had earned a shutout against the Carolina Hurricanes the previous night, stepped in as the starter after Anton Forsberg was injured during warmups. Despite the unexpected change, Ullmark remained composed, and his key saves, including a critical paddle stop against Karlsson in the first period, kept the Senators in the lead. Ullmark has been on a hot streak, extending his record to 6-0-1 in his past seven starts.
Pittsburgh, despite playing a solid game, could not pull out a win. Blake Lizotte and Kris Letang scored for the Penguins, with Letang’s goal in the third period tying the game at 2-2. Letang’s wrist shot from the point found its way past Ullmark, but it was not enough to prevent the Penguins from falling short. Head coach Mike Sullivan noted that while Ottawa’s defense was tough, Pittsburgh’s failure to break through early on ultimately cost them the game.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Ottawa regaining the lead in the third after Chabot’s shot deflected off Batherson’s skate. Despite Pittsburgh’s best efforts to tie the game with Letang’s goal, Tkachuk’s overtime winner sealed the Senators’ win. The game was a testament to Ottawa’s growing resilience, with the team showing maturity and composure in crucial moments. For the Penguins, it was a tough loss, as they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities and secure the win in a hard-fought contest.
The Pittsburgh Penguins may have finally found their form.
The Nashville Predators, on the other hand, have some reasons to feel positive about their situation, even though their season has been tough.
With a three-game point streak, the Penguins are hoping to stop the Predators from winning back-to-back games for the first time in nearly two months when the teams play Thursday in Nashville.
Pittsburgh struggled during the first 23 games of the season, winning only seven games and never managing to win two in a row until Nov. 23. Since then, the Penguins have gone 7-2-1 and earned five points in their last three games, including a 3-2 overtime win over the Kings in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk scored his first goal as a Penguin to tie the game late in the third period, and Rickard Rakell scored the winner 1:44 into overtime. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 29 shots for Pittsburgh, which believes it may have turned the corner.
“Going back to last season, where we (went) on that hot stretch at the end of the season (closing 8-2-2), I think it’s kind of the same feeling we had then,” Rakell told the Penguins’ official website.
“We’re starting to get in (the dressing) room right now.”
Rakell has scored half of his team-leading 14 goals in the last 10 games and also added five assists during this period.
Teammate Sidney Crosby has been stuck on 600 career goals for the last 10 games but has 10 assists in that time. Crosby has eight goals and 20 assists in 23 career games against Nashville.
The Predators are still tied with Chicago for the fewest points in the NHL, with 24, but have won two of their last three games after a franchise-record-tying eight-game losing streak (0-5-3).
Nashville Predators (NHL)
On Tuesday, Juuse Saros made 25 saves to end his personal eight-game losing streak, and Jonathan Marchessault scored a goal in the first period to give the Predators a 2-0 home win over the struggling New York Rangers.
Nashville last won back-to-back games during a three-game winning streak from Oct. 22-26.
“The last three (games) feel good. I like the positive energy,” said Marchessault, who has scored seven of his eight goals at home.
“It’s been a tough run for our group. We’ve had a hard time grabbing that consistency, so we’re just trying to build it. I think the little bit of the identity of the last three games is something that we can hold onto and be proud of.”
Marchessault may have finally found some chemistry with his fellow star linemates Filip Forsberg and Steven Stamkos, who have each earned five points in the last four games.
Saros (2.63 goals-against average) has only won back-to-back starts once this season, on Oct. 22 and 25. Backup Justus Annunen made 35 saves in his most recent start, a 4-1 victory at Dallas on Dec. 12.
Meanwhile, Nedeljkovic has stopped 87 of 95 shots in his last three starts for Pittsburgh, winning two of those games. The Penguins are 16-4-2 against the Predators since October 2010. Teammate Tristan Jarry has a 1.98 goals-against average during his current 2-0-1 stretch on the road.
It is still unclear if Nashville’s injured star defenseman and captain, Roman Josi (lower-body injury), will miss a fourth straight game.
Sidney Crosby Scores Milestone 1,500th Career Point in Penguins’ 5-1 Win Over Red Wings
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby reached a historic milestone on Saturday, becoming the 15th player in NHL history to achieve 1,500 career points. Crosby led his team with two goals and an assist in a 5-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, helping the Penguins maintain their playoff hopes. Reflecting on the milestone, Crosby emphasized the team aspect of hockey and his focus on continuing to contribute to his team’s success. The Penguins are fighting to extend their 16-season playoff streak, the longest active run in North American professional sports.
Crosby achieved this feat as the sixth-fastest player to reach 1,500 points, completing it in 1,188 games. Among the legendary players who reached this milestone before him are Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Jaromir Jagr. The milestone was marked by a power-play goal in the third period, with assists from Kris Letang and Jake Guentzel. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan praised Crosby, calling him one of the greatest players in hockey history and highlighting the significance of the company he now keeps in this elite group.
Sidney Crosby Scores Milestone 1,500th Career Point in Penguins’ 5-1 Win Over Red Wings
Former teammate David Perron lauded Crosby’s consistent ability to deliver at critical moments, describing him as a player who is always striving to improve. Crosby’s dedication to excellence has allowed him to excel even at 35, making him the 12th player in league history to reach 90 points in a season at that age or older. This achievement further solidifies his legacy as one of the all-time greats in hockey.
Crosby also joined an exclusive group as the seventh player in NHL history to score 1,500 points with a single franchise, alongside legends like Gordie Howe, Mario Lemieux, and Steve Yzerman. The Penguins’ win was bolstered by contributions from Alex Nylander, Danton Heinen, and Evgeni Malkin, as well as solid goaltending from Tristan Jarry, who made 19 saves. The victory kept Pittsburgh in contention for one of the remaining playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
Despite the Red Wings’ best efforts, including a goal by Pius Suter and strong play from goaltender Ville Husso, their mistakes proved costly against a determined Penguins team. Nylander opened the scoring with his first NHL goal since 2020, providing early momentum for Pittsburgh. The game not only celebrated Crosby’s personal milestone but also underscored the Penguins’ resilience as they battle to extend their playoff streak.
Rickard Rakell scored a wrist shot from the right point at 1:44 of overtime to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night.
Rakell also had an assist, while Evgeni Malkin and Matt Grzelcyk added goals. Alex Nedeljkovic made 29 saves for the Penguins, who were down by a goal with six minutes left in the game.
Adrian Kempe and Alex Turcotte scored for the Kings, with Vladislav Gavrikov adding two assists. Darcy Kuemper made 28 saves for Los Angeles, who have lost two of their last three games after a six-game winning streak.
Kempe gave the Kings a 1-0 lead just 33 seconds into the game, scoring his team-leading 16th goal of the season. Anze Kopitar passed the puck behind the Pittsburgh net to Kempe, who scored with a one-timer.
Kempe has now scored eight goals in his last four games against Pittsburgh. He scored three goals in two games against the Penguins last season and netted a career-high four goals in a 6-0 win against them on February 11, 2023.
Los Angeles Kings players reacts after a goal in the 2nd period
The Penguins tied the game 1-1 at 6:22 of the second period after Michael Bunting and Malkin broke away on a 2-on-1 rush. Bunting, playing in his 300th NHL game, passed the puck to Malkin, and the puck went under Kuemper’s pads and off the far post. Malkin appeared to deflect it slightly before it went off Kuemper’s skate and crossed the goal line.
The Kings regained the lead 2-1 at 11:38 of the second period. Gavrikov cleared the puck from his slot, and it bounced off the boards near the red line. Turcotte beat the Penguins to the puck, raced down the right side, and scored with a wrist shot from the edge of the circle.
After being stopped several times by Kuemper in the third period, Grzelcyk finally got one past him with a wrist shot from the left circle to tie the game 2-2 at 14:25 of the third period.
Los Angeles Kings players reacts after a goal in the 2nd period
The Los Angeles Kings are midway through their longest road trip of the season, and they will look to keep playing their best hockey of 2024 when they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.
The Kings have won seven of their last eight games, including a 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday.
This win came as a good recovery for Los Angeles after they lost 3-1 to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.
“We wanted a bounce-back game and I feel like we did that, and as a team,” said Kings forward Quinton Byfield. “The Rangers are a good team, so we kind of just answered the bell. We all just want to have a bounce-back game and that’s how it happened.”
Byfield, Warren Foegele, Adrian Kempe, and Alex Turcotte each had a goal and an assist against the Rangers.
“When we’re playing direct and north, we create stuff for the team,” Turcotte said. “I felt that in the New Jersey game, we didn’t really get a chance to forecheck because we weren’t really playing north.”
Anze Kopitar also had two assists and kept his streak of not taking any minor penalties this season.
“I think it’s positioning, it’s an understanding of the game,” said Kings coach Jim Hiller. “He never retaliates, he doesn’t get too high, too low on anything. Whether he makes a good play or a bad play, he’s steady for the next shift. He doesn’t let his emotions get him off his game.”
Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Kings forward Trevor Moore got an upper-body injury against New Jersey and did not practice on Monday.
The Kings left for Pittsburgh after playing three teams from the New York area. They still have road games against Philadelphia, Nashville, and Washington before returning home right before Christmas.
The Penguins have lost three of their last five games (2-2-1), most recently falling 3-2 in overtime to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
The loss was made worse because defenseman Marcus Pettersson left the game with a lower-body injury after being hit and crashing into the boards in the first period.
Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said on Monday that Pettersson will be out for a week or more. Tristan Jarry is expected to start in goal for the Penguins against the Kings.
Jarry, who was an All-Star in 2020 and 2022, has had a rough season and even spent part of November in the AHL. Among goalies with at least 10 appearances, he ranks 48th in the NHL with a .885 save percentage and 53rd with a 3.59 goals-against average.
Jarry was frustrated by the second goal he allowed against the Senators, a pass that hit a player’s skate and went into the net.
“I don’t know how you take that out of the game but I don’t think you should be allowed to stand there and let the guy shoot it off you,” Jarry said. “I think it’s almost impossible to stop. Like, he gets position on our player and he just parks himself at the back post and their guy just shoots it off him. It’s a tough play and I think it’s not part of hockey.”
Jarry has a 2-4-0 record in six career starts against the Kings with a .914 save percentage and a 3.16 GAA.
Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper, who started in their most recent game, has a 4-4-1 record all-time against the Penguins with a .910 save percentage and a 3.08 GAA.
Brady Tkachuk's Overtime Heroics Lead Senators to Third Straight Win in 3-2 Penguins Victory
The Ottawa Senators claimed a 3-2 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking their third consecutive win. In their final home game of the year, captain Brady Tkachuk scored the game-winning goal in overtime, while Thomas Chabot contributed a goal and an assist for a two-point performance. Drake Batherson also found the back of the net, and goaltender Linus Ullmark delivered a strong performance, stepping in last minute to start for the second night in a row. Ullmark’s key saves were instrumental in keeping Ottawa in the game.
Thomas Chabot opened the scoring midway through the first period after receiving a well-executed pass from Claude Giroux. Ottawa carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, outshooting and outhitting the Penguins. The second period remained scoreless, with Ullmark making several crucial saves, including a highlight-reel stop against Sidney Crosby late in the frame to preserve the Senators’ narrow lead.
Brady Tkachuk’s Overtime Heroics Lead Senators to Third Straight Win in 3-2 Penguins Victory
Early in the third period, the Penguins tied the game 1-1 when Blake Lizotte scored. The Senators quickly regained the lead minutes later as Drake Batherson redirected a Thomas Chabot shot into the net. However, Kris Letang responded for Pittsburgh with a goal late in regulation, tying the game at 2-2 and forcing overtime.
In the extra period, Brady Tkachuk came through for the Senators with a spectacular game-winning goal. Receiving a breakout pass from Jake Sanderson, Tkachuk maneuvered around Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson and beat Tristan Jarry five-hole to secure the win. Sanderson earned the lone assist on the decisive goal, capping off an exciting night for Ottawa.
Linus Ullmark was outstanding, finishing with 25 saves on 27 shots and a .926 save percentage. His performance continued a strong streak of games, maintaining a goals-against average under 2.00 and a save percentage above .925% for the fifth consecutive contest. The Senators now head on the road, starting with a matchup against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, before returning home on January 6 to face the Buffalo Sabres.
Sidney Crosby Nets 600th NHL Goal in Penguins’ 6-1 Defeat Against Utah Hockey Club
Sidney Crosby reached an incredible milestone on Saturday night, scoring his 600th NHL goal during a five-on-three power play in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 6-1 loss to the Utah Hockey Club. Crosby, the 21st player in league history to achieve this feat, fired a one-timer from a pass by Erik Karlsson, marking the second period at 3:11. This goal highlighted Crosby’s remarkable form, as he now has seven goals in his last 12 games. Karlsson also made history by surpassing Borje Salming for 15th place on the NHL’s all-time career assists list among defensemen.
Despite Crosby’s achievement, the Penguins struggled, losing their 14th game in their last 18 outings. The team has conceded at least four goals in six of their past 10 games, a troubling trend that contributed to their defeat against Utah. The Penguins’ Alex Nedeljkovic made 24 saves but couldn’t stop Utah’s onslaught, which included goals from Dylan Guenther (two), Nick Bjugstad, Jack McBain, Mikhail Sergachev, and Alexander Kerfoot. Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka delivered a strong performance, stopping 27 shots to help his team snap a three-game losing streak.
Sidney Crosby Nets 600th NHL Goal in Penguins’ 6-1 Defeat Against Utah Hockey Club
Crosby’s milestone places him in elite company, joining Alex Ovechkin as the only active players with 600 NHL goals. Furthermore, Crosby is one of only seven players to score 600 goals with a single team, joining Mario Lemieux as the only Penguins to do so. This achievement also makes Pittsburgh just the second franchise, alongside Detroit, to boast multiple 600-goal scorers, a testament to the team’s storied history. Crosby also joins Wayne Gretzky as the only players in NHL history to achieve 600 goals, 1,600 points, three Stanley Cups, and two Conn Smythe trophies.
For Utah, the win was a crucial morale booster, ending their losing streak as they prepare to visit Toronto on Sunday. Nick Bjugstad played a pivotal role in regaining momentum after Crosby’s goal, scoring to extend Utah’s lead to 3-1. His contribution was particularly notable, as he once played for Pittsburgh, adding a layer of personal significance to the victory. Utah’s offensive depth and goaltending were key in their commanding win.
The Penguins, on the other hand, continue to face challenges as they wrap up their five-game homestand against Vancouver on Wednesday. Crosby’s milestone, while historic, underscores the team’s broader struggles this season. With defensive lapses and inconsistent goaltending, Pittsburgh must regroup to turn their season around, despite individual brilliance from their captain.
