Oct 23, 2009 11:45 pm US/Eastern
Crosby Leads Pens To 3-2 Shootout Victory
By: Sergei Feldman
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby prepares for a face-off against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Mellon Arena on Sept. 15, 2009.
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Penguins lived up to its marketing slogan and defied ordinary with a 3-2 shootout victory against the visiting Florida Panthers Friday night.
After a believable disappearing act in the first period, the Sidney Crosby-led Penguins overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period and extended their winning streak.
With the win, the Penguins improve to 9-1-0 on the season, a franchise record for most victories in October.
Friday night's first period looked a lot like Pittsburgh's performance against the Phoenix Coyotes, the only game the Penguins lost so far this season, and by far the most lethargic effort.
Florida's Steven Reinprecht gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 12:39 of the first period, before following up with a second just under three minutes later.
The Penguins would take the game over after a momentum-changing fight by forward Chris Kunitz in the second period.
Early in the third period, Crosby gave the Penguins life with a power-play goal. A cross-ice Alex Goligoski pass hit a Panther around the net and bounced to Crosby's stick.
Crosby collected the puck and gunned a shot behind Tomas Vokoun, cutting Florida's lead in half.
With 4:56 remaining in the third period, and Pittsburgh still trailing, 2-1, defenseman Brooks Orpik was called for an interference penalty.
The ill-timed penalty could've sealed the deal for Florida, but Evgeni Malkin and Crosby had other ideas.
In his 300th National Hockey League game, Crosby received a Malkin pass from behind the net and shot the puck past Vokoun for his first career shorthanded tally.
With the game tied, 2-2, neither team could convert in the overtime period and the game would be decided in a shootout.
Crosby scored the only goal in the shootout, while Penguins goaltender Brent Johnson stopped all three Panthers.
Johnson played sharp all night in his second start with Pittsburgh.
Notes:
-The Penguins take on New Jersey Saturday night at 7:30 at Mellon Arena. It will be the fourth of five-consecutive home games.
-Marc-Andre Fleury earned the day off Friday but is expected to start against New Jersey.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Penguins 2009-10 Season In Pictures
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