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With Return of Crosby, Penguins Don't Miss a Beat - New York Times

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With Return of Crosby, Penguins Don't Miss a Beat - New York Times
Mar 17th 2012, 23:27

NEWARK — At the N.H.L. general managers meeting in Florida last week, Lou Lamoriello of the Devils was asked how he felt about the imminent return of the Pittsburgh superstar Sidney Crosby.

"Honestly?" he said, and laughed ruefully. "Look, I'm glad he's back, but it's going to be a lot harder for us now with Crosby playing."

Lamoriello was proved right Saturday. Crosby sparkled in Game 2 of his second comeback tour, helping the Penguins to their 11th win in a row, a 5-2 domination of the Devils at Prudential Center.

Crosby had a game-high three assists and went plus 2. He set up second-period goals by Matt Cooke and Evgeni Malkin — the latter with a highlight-reel pass — and added a secondary assist in the third period on Cooke's second goal. Crosby also took six shots, which tied for the game high.

He did all that while playing 15 minutes 19 seconds, considerably less than the Penguins' other two main centers, Malkin (16:55) and Jordan Staal (20:52).

The victory moved the streaking Penguins 2 points behind the Eastern Conference-leading Rangers, whom Pittsburgh beat, 5-2, on Thursday in Crosby's comeback game. The Rangers hosted Colorado on Saturday night.

On Thursday, Crosby returned after missing 40 games because of concussion and neck injury symptoms. He took one shot and had two assists in 16 minutes. He was originally credited with one assist in that game, but on Friday afternoon the N.H.L. ruled he touched the puck just before Pascal Dupuis scored the game's last goal.

Crosby has 17 points in 10 games this season, on 2 goals and 15 assists. His 1.70 points per game is the best average in the N.H.L., followed by Malkin's 1.38 on a league-leading 87 points in 63 games. Malkin had a goal and an assist Saturday.

The Penguins, who have won 23 of their last 28 games, were something of a juggernaut before Crosby's return, and they may be even more of one now.

"We're a team, and you're happy to see your teammates do well," Crosby said. "When I wasn't in for the previous nine games, I was just as happy to see guys do well. There's a good feeling when you're rewarded for your efforts."

Against the Devils, Crosby set up Cooke for the goal that gave Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead. He burst down the right wing on a quick two-on-one break, drew defenseman Mark Fayne toward him and zipped a perfect pass to the goalmouth that Cooke knocked in with his skate. The goal withstood a review.

Crosby also set up a power-play goal later in the second period that made the score 4-1. He was bumped to one knee by Jacob Josefson along the left-wing boards, but got to his feet still stick-handling. He sent a cross-ice laser to Malkin, whose one-timer produced his 40th goal of the season.

On Cooke's second goal, which made the score 5-2, Crosby merely touched the puck before Tyler Kennedy's flubbed shot was slotted home by Cooke.

Crosby came close to increasing his point total, but he was robbed by acrobatic saves from goalie Martin Brodeur on at least three shots.

"I'm always looking for a goal," Crosby said. "Marty made some great saves today."

Crosby almost set up a goal on his first shift with a backhand pass that freed Chris Kunitz for a breakaway, forcing Devils defenseman Marek Zidlicky to trip Kunitz. But Brodeur stopped Kunitz on the ensuing penalty shot.

As they had Thursday against the Rangers, the Penguins possessed the puck so thoroughly they often seemed to be on a permanent power play. They outshot the Devils, 44-14.

The Devils' only threats came on occasional counterattacks. They scored on one at 16:57 of the first period, tying the score at 1-1 on Andy Greene's first goal of the season, in his 46th game. It ended the Devils' goal drought at 147:38, almost two and a half games.

Crosby played with Cooke and Kennedy on his wings more often than he did against the Rangers, but he also had shifts with other wings. He also skated a couple of shifts as a wing with Staal centering.

Crosby said Thursday that he was trying to stay away from contact rather than courting it as he did in his first comeback, which lasted eight games in November and December before his concussion symptoms forced him out again.

"I've noticed a slightly different mind-set from his eight-game stretch earlier this year, when he was using his body more," Penguins Coach Dan Bylsma said. "Now he's using his stick more to break up plays in tight situations."

Crosby did have one brief moment of contact against the Devils when he wound up in Brodeur's crease, poking once for the puck. Devils defenseman Mark Fayne shoved him lightly but firmly against the crossbar as the whistle blew. Crosby shoved Fayne back harder, but both players disengaged.

The Penguins, whose 11-game winning streak is the longest in the N.H.L. this season, got 12 saves from Marc-Andre Fleury. James Neal scored his 32nd goal, and Dupuis notched his 20th.

The loss left the Devils six points behind the Penguins.

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