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Penguins win again despite misfiring Crosby
2007-02-18
The Pittsburgh Penguins won their sixth straight game to continue their most successful points streak in 14 years on Sunday after edging the Washington Capitals 3-2. The Penguins have won at least one point in 16 consecutive games, going 14-0-2 in that stretch, their longest such streak since they won 17 straight games and then tied one at the end of the 1992-93 season. Pittsburgh has surged into the fourth seed position in the Eastern Conference standings thanks to the streak, as the Penguins look to try and qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Maxime Talbot's goal just 1:10 into the third period gave the Penguins a 3-1 lead and turned out to be the game-winner against the lowly Capitals, who have lost three straight games and nine of their last 12. NHL scoring leader Sidney Crosby was held to just one assist and has only one goal in his last 10 games. But the Penguins are winning without his scoring while the Capitals continue to struggle as Alex Ovechkin's woes continue, as he has just one goal in his past seven games. "When Ovechkin gets only one goal in seven games, it's tough to win," Capitals coach Glen Hanlon told reporters. "Don't mistake that -- it's not his fault we're not winning. But if you're asking where the offense has gone, he's a big part of that." Back-up goalie Jocelyn Thibault made his first start in goal for the Penguins since Jan 27, making 29 saves for just his third win of the season as the Capitals out-shot the Penguins 31-25. Mark Recchi opened the scoring for the Penguins in the first period but Richard Zednik tied the game just two minutes later, leaving the clubs deadlocked 1-1 after one period. Evgeni Malkin put the Penguins ahead for good at 18:44 of the second period, with Talbot's goal turning out to be crucial after Alexander Semin scored with just 44 seconds left in the third period to cut the lead to one. Brent Johnson made 22 saves in goal for Washington. *The Dallas Stars moved to within one point of the second place San Jose in the Pacific Division with a 5-2 win over the Sharks. *Marcel Hossa hit the game-winner as the New York Rangers edged the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1. *David Backes scored twice as the St Louis Blues beat the Minnesota Wild 5-3. *The Montreal Canadiens snapped a six-game losing streak by hanging on to edge the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2.
Avalanche surge toward playoff spot (2007-03-19)Surging Penguins move into 4th in East (2007-03-17)Penguins win again despite misfiring Crosby (2007-02-18)Capitals get shootout win over Islanders (2007-02-05)Leafs solve Canadiens penalty kill to win 4-1 (2007-01-28)
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