Penguins' Sidney Crosby Continues Dominance Over Flyers
Sidney Crosby knows when it's time to bring his best for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
PITTSBURGH – It was his 87th game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Did you expect anything different from the Pittsburgh Penguins captain? With the Penguins season essentially on the line, Sidney Crosby put up one of his best performances in a year that could earn him MVP talk.
The game didn’t go how the Penguins would have liked, but they secured two big points in a 7-6 win on the back of four points (1G-3A) from Crosby. It was initially five points, but the league took an assist away following the game’s conclusion.
It was evident early on that Crosby wouldn’t let the Penguins lose this particular game to the Flyers. Tristan Jarry allowed an early goal to force the Penguins to play from behind. Crosby made sure that hole was climbed out of quickly.
An outstanding shift from the Penguins’ first line was capped off by a goal from Crosby to tie the game. Crosby followed his goal with an assist later in the first period, then a second assist on a power play goal in the second frame. Byran Rust scored both goals before he went down with an injury.
At this point, the Penguins had three goals, all with Crosby contributing. Later in the third period, Crosby wasn’t done, and his finest effort was about to be displayed.
The Penguins were up 5-4 but needed an insurance tally. Crosby out-muscled Marc Staal with one hand on his stick before feeding Rickard Rakell for his first goal in 15 games. The one-handed feed gave Crosby 129 career points against the Flyers.
In 87 games, Crosby has scored 55 goals and 74 assists for 129 points, all NHL highs against the Flyers.
Crosby always turns it on against the Flyers, and it was a must-win game for the Penguins. No one expected anything different as Crosby nearly singlehandedly kept the Penguins playoff hopes alive and dominated a cross-state rival he’s always shown up against.
Penguins’ defenseman Kris Letang probably put it best after the huge win.
“I’m not surprised,” Letang said. “I told you for the last 18 years, I guess. I don’t know what else you want me to say.”
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