Crosby Fills the Net, Penguins Quash Canadiens

PITTSBURGH — Defensively structured. Patient. And Sidney Crosby.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (5-7-1) limited the mistakes that have made them the worst defensive team in the NHL. They got a pair of goals from an all-time great and took advantage of an opponent on the ropes to beat the Montreal Canadiens (4-7-1) 3-1 at PPG Paints Arena.

Crosby has scored four consecutive Penguins goals over two games, including Thursday’s win over Anaheim.

Crosby, who had five points in his last two games, was the lone goal-scorer in a surprisingly dull first period. Seconds after Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic made a sparkling kick save on Juraj Slafkovski, the Penguins capitalized on a Montreal turnover by defenseman Mike Matheson. Rickard Rakell slid a cross-ice pass to Crosby (4), who sniped a wrister from the right circle past goalie Sam Montembeault at 15:57.

Both coaches were likely pleased with their defensive efforts in the first period. According to NaturalStatTrick.com, the Penguins and Canadiens rank last (32nd) and next-to-last (31st), respectively, in giving up high-danger scoring chances. In fact, Montreal had a “no puck” practice the day before after getting smoked by Seattle 8-2 on Tuesday and then Washington 6-3 on Thursday.

“No puck” is code for a good old-fashioned bag skate.

The shots were merely 2-2 after the first 12 minutes of the game and were 5-5 after the first 20 minutes. And the defensive structures and cautious play by both teams continued through most of the second period, too.

The Penguins power play got a second chance later in the second period when Montreal defenseman David Savard chipped the puck over the glass.

During the power play, Montreal defenseman Arber Xhekaj got away with a blatant spear when he jabbed Michael Bunting, shall we say, below the belt. Referees Jean Herbert and Brandon Blandina didn’t assess extra penalty time, but the league may lighten Xhekaj’s wallet in the coming days.

The Penguins converted following the offensive zone faceoff. Crosby (5) scored his second of the game with a seeing-eye wrister from the top of the offensive zone at 18:40.

The Penguins largely controlled play in the second period, outshooting Montreal 16-10 in the second period, though both teams made a conscious effort to limit offensive chances.

However, the Penguins and a 2-0 lead are always a dangerous combination. Earlier in the third period, Penguins defensemen Kris Letang and Matt Grzelcyk failed to advance the breakout. At 5:32, a turnover on the wall quickly became a rebound goal for Christian Dvorak (1).

Nedeljkovic stopped the first 18 shots and 26 of 27. Montembeault stopped 21 of 23 shots.

Blake Lizotte scored the empty netter with 44.9 seconds remaining. Ryan Graves dropped the gloves with Jayden Struble as time expired.

Penguins Notes

Kris Letang played in his 1100th game.

The first period had just 10 faceoffs and 10 combined shots.