Crosby nets, Penguins beat Rangers in overtime

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Sidney Crosby scored the winning goal
at 3:31 of overtime, lifting the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-3
win over the New York Rangers in National Hockey League play
Saturday in Pittsburgh.

Crosby fired a wrist shot past New York goalie Henrik
Lundqvist off a rebound from Michel Ouellet on a power play in
the extra period to give the Penguins their second straight
win. It was the first time in nearly two months that the
Penguins had managed back-to-back victories.

After losing their first four games under new head coach
Michel Therrien, the Penguins look to be playing better under
the former Montreal Canadiens coach as Crosby continues his
solid rookie season.

The 18-year-old number one pick in last June’s NHL draft
has nine points in his last four games, including five goals,
and added an assist to his game-winning goal on Saturday.

But Crosby felt it was strong defensive play that brought
the Penguins’ latest win, as Pittsburgh out-shot the Rangers
37-17, including 7-0 in overtime.

“We’re not giving up a lot of opportunities, and we have to
continue to play like that,” Crosby said.

Therrien agreed with his young star.

“We deserved to win,’ Therrien said. “We stuck to the game
plan and we allowed only 17 shots, and I’m happy about the way
we are playing.”

Power plays were the story of the game, as both teams
scored three power play goals in eight chances and traded goals
in all three periods.

Tomas Surovy scored twice for the winners and Ouellet
scored the other goal for the Penguins and added a pair of
assists. Marc-Andre Fleury had to make just 14 saves to pick up
the win.

Jaromir Jagr, Martin Rucinsky and Fedor Tyutin scored for
the Rangers. Lundqvist made 33 saves and Rucinsky picked up a
pair of assists.

RANGERS STILL SECOND

The Rangers remained second in the Atlantic Division behind
the Philadelphia Flyers despite the loss.

In Washington, Brian Willsie scored the game-winning goal
in the shootout as the Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers
4-3.

Alexander Ovechkin and Dainius Zubrus also scored for the
Capitals. Olaf Kolzig made 34 saves.

Peter Forsberg, Sami Kapanen and Jeff Carter scored for the
Flyers, and Antero Niittymaki made 43 saves.

In Dallas, Mathieu Garon made 38 saves as the Los Angeles
Kings edged the Stars 3-2.

In Raleigh, Rod Brind’Amour scored twice, including the
game-winner with less than two minutes to play, as the Carolina
Hurricanes beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-3.

In Phoenix, Ian Laperriere scored twice as the Colorado
Avalanche stopped the Coyotes 5-2.