NHL NEWS DEC 29 – CROSBY, PENGUINS MOVE ATOP LEAGUE STANDINGS
Sidney Crosby (1-0—1) scored his 26th goal of the season to extend his League lead and propel the Penguins (24-8-5, 53 points) into the top spot in the NHL.
Crosby (26-16—42) moved into a tie with Connor McDavid (13-29—42) for the League scoring lead, despite having played five fewer games. He has now scored in five straight contests and has 5-4—9 on a six-game point streak.
The Penguins also extended their home point streak to 10 games (9-0-1). Pittsburgh improved to 11-1-2 in the month of December, earning 24 points in a calendar month for the second time this year (also 12-4-0 in March).
Marc-Andre Fleury (19 saves) earned the victory in relief of an injured Matt Murray (25 saves) to improve to 5-0-1 in his last six decisions.
- Auston Matthews (17-11—28) scored his team-leading 17th goal of the season and added an assist to move within two goals and points of Patrik Laine (19-11—30) for the League lead among rookies
- Mitchell Marner recorded the lone goal in the shootout and Frederik Andersen tied a season high with 45 saves as the Maple Leafs earned their fourth straight road win
- Tyler Johnson (2-0—2) scored the fourth overtime goal of his career as the Lightning overcame a two-goal, third period deficit to improve to 3-1-1 in their last five games
- Victor Hedman (1-1—2) earned a goal and an assist for his seventh multi-point game of the season
- Henrik Sedin scored his second game-winner of the season to propel the Canucks to a 4-1-1 record in their last six home games
- Shea Weber scored his eighth power play goal of the campaign to move within one of Sidney Crosby for the League lead
- Grammy Award-winning artist and St. Louis native Nelly will headline the entertainment at the 2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
WEDNESDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Toronto 3, FLORIDA 2 (SO)
PITTSBURGH 3, Carolina 2
TAMPA BAY 4, Montreal 3 (OT)
ST. LOUIS 6, Philadelphia 3
VANCOUVER 2, Los Angeles 1
THURSDAY’S NHL ACTION
All Times Eastern
Boston @ Buffalo, 7 p.m.
New Jersey @ Washington, 7 p.m.
Toronto @ Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.
Montreal @ Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Chicago @ Nashville, 8 p.m.
NY Islanders @ Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Columbus @ Winnipeg, 8 p.m.
Detroit @ Ottawa, 8 p.m.
Colorado @ Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Anaheim @ Calgary, 9 p.m.
Los Angeles @ Edmonton, 9 p.m.
NY Rangers @ Arizona, 9 p.m.