PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The depleted Pittsburgh Penguins' offense
was able to find a way to reward Marc-Andre Fleury's strong
outing.
Petr Sykora snapped a scoreless tie with 2:28 remaining in the
third period, lifting the Penguins to a 1-0 triumph over the New
York Islanders on Wednesday.
Fleury made 21 saves to help Pittsburgh win for third time in
four contests despite missing captain Sidney Crosby, who is
sidelined with a sore groin.
The 24-year-old Fleury turned aside six shots in the first
period, 11 in the second and four in the third to secure his
third shutout of the season and 14th career.
Yann Danis stopped 27 shots for the Islanders, who have dropped
eight of 10.
Sykora converted passes from defenseman Sergei Gonchar and
All-Star Evgeni Malkin in the waning minutes of regulation,
firing a wrist shot from the slot that sailed by Danis.
Fleury entered having surrendered 21 goals in his previous five
games, but he shrugged off his struggles at the expense of the
last-place team in the Eastern Conference.
Prior to blanking the New Jersey Devils, 4-0, on Saturday, New
York had not scored more than three goals since January 29.