Penguins, Rangers going in opposite directions

Sidney Crosby scored once in the first period and twice in the third and added a pair assists as the Pittsburgh Penguins dismantled the New York Rangers 8-3 Saturday night at Mellon Arena.

Pittsburgh welcomed back three regulars (Kennedy, Letang, Goligoski) to the lineup and put on a show for the home fans as Evgeni Malkin, Pascal Dupuis, Tyler Kennedy, Mark Eaton and Max Talbot also added goals for the Penguins.

Pittsburgh pulled away in the third period, scoring four third period goals, including two power play goals against the NHL's No. 1 ranked penalty kill. Goaltender Marc Andre Fleury made 25 saves to earn his 15th win of the season.

Pittsburgh improved their record to 18-9 and remain in a battle atop the Eastern Conference, with the Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils.

Pittsburgh and New York each got off to hot starts to begin the season but just past the quarter mark, they're two teams going in opposite directions.

On Saturday night both teams were coming off of disappointing losses from the day/night before. The Penguins responded like many thought they would. The Rangers didn't play a horrible game but it didn't matter how close the score was, 4-3 early in the third period, you could just tell they weren't going to pull out the "W" with the way Stephen Valiquette was playing.

Rangers head coach John Tortorella is a Stanley Cup winning coach but lets his emotions get to him too much in certain occasions. The decision not to start Henrik Lundqvist Saturday night was one of them.

Lundqvist was pulled Friday night in the Rangers 5-1 loss after giving up four goals in 32 minutes played. Tortorella blasted his team after the game, including Lundqvist, and despite the back-to-back games, needed to go back to his No. 1 goaltender.

*Dan Bylsma coached a very good game Saturday night. He found ways to get Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the ice at even strength and he needs to continue to give them 3-4 shifts together per game.

*Could Chris Kunitz be a fit on Evgeni Malkin's line when he returns to the lineup?