Sidney Crosby’s return after three months of inactivity didn’t hurt the chemistry of the Pittsburgh Penguins one bit as they surged closer to the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers.
Crosby played for the first time since another bout with concussion symptoms forced him to the sidelines on Dec. 5. He got on the score sheet Thursday night with an assist as the Penguins stretched their winning streak to 10 by beating the Rangers 5-2.
It marked the first time this season New York allowed five goals.
Now the Penguins trail the Rangers by just four points in the races for the East and the Atlantic Division.
After missing 40 games during his latest stint on the shelf, Crosby played on a third line with Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy. Cooke scored twice, Kennedy had two assists, and NHL points leader Evgeni Malkin added a goal for the Penguins.
-AP