Crosby delivers first-rate effort

January 04, 2006|Associated Press

Sidney Crosby scored on Pittsburgh's first shot and finished with two goals last night, leading the Penguins to a 6-4 victory over host Montreal, the team the 18-year-old star rooted for as a youngster.

Crosby's second goal of the game -- his team-leading 21st -- gave the Penguins a 5-4 lead early in the third period.

He was credited with the go-ahead goal at 1:58. The game was delayed for a video review that clearly showed that Crosby kicked back a rebound off Jose Theodore toward the Canadiens goalie. The puck struck the edge of Theodore's left skate, which redirected it into the net.

Michel Ouellet also scored twice for Pittsburgh, including a power-play goal 18:52 into the second that tied it at 4. Ouellet scored Pittsburgh's sixth goal -- his second of the game -- at 14:57 of the game to put the game away.

Jonathan Ferland scored in his first NHL game, delivering Montreal's fourth straight goal as the Canadiens overcame an early 3-0 deficit only to give up three straight goals.

Wild 4, Red Wings 2 -- Dwayne Roloson stopped 43 shots and held off a late rally and Brian Rolston had a goal and an assist to lift Minnesota over host Detroit.

Minnesota has won five of its last six and ended Detroit's five-game winning streak.

Tomas Holmstrom scored both goals for the Red Wings.

Devils 3, Panthers 0 -- Brian Gionta scored two goals and Patrik Elias had an assist in his first game of the season to help New Jersey beat visiting Florida.

Elias, the Devils' leading scorer in each of the last five seasons, was sidelined for several months after contracting hepatitis A last spring while playing in Europe during the NHL lockout.

Oilers 5, Blackhawks 0 -- Fernando Pisani scored twice and Ty Conklin stopped 23 shots, leading host Edmonton over Chicago.

Shawn Horcoff, Ryan Smyth and Jani Rita also scored for Edmonton.

Conklin, who had lost his previous two starts, earned the Oilers' first shutout of the season and the second of his career.

Avalanche 3, Predators 0 -- Colorado got a rare goal from Bob Boughner and goalie David Aebischer snapped a personal four-game losing streak with a win at home.

Aebischer stopped 32 shots, earning his second shutout this season and the 12th of his career. The Predators lost their fourth straight.

Lightning 1, Rangers 0 -- Vaclav Prospal jammed the puck past Henrik Lundqvist at 3:47 of overtime, and John Grahame made 36 saves for his second shutout of the season in Tampa Bay's victory in New York.

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