Post-Game: Staal steps up in 5-2 win over Canadiens

The Pittsburgh Penguins snapped their three game winning streak, getting a big win in Montreal Wednesday night, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 at the Bell Center, improving to 27-14-4 on the season.

It was an important win for the Penguins who collected their first win against Montreal in five games. A victory against a team that has given the Penguins a bad taste in their mouth and is becoming a rival as both teams, are starting to dislike each other.

For the Penguins, it was also their first win this season without star center Sidney Crosby, who remains out indefinitely due to a concussion.

Prior to tonight's game, Pittsburgh had scored just three goals in three games without Sidney Crosby, but erupted tonight with a five goal performance, including four power play goals.

Defenseman Alex Goligoski led the power play outburst, scoring two power play goals and one assist as Pittsburgh's 20th ranked power play went 4-for-6 in the win.

Jordan Staal and Kris Letang also had three point nights, as Staal had a goal and two assists earning the games No. 1 star, while Letang collected three assists in the win. Letang has reached the 40 point (7G-33A) mark with his big night.

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A lot of players stepped up in a different areas and special teams helped Pittsburgh secure their 13th road win and 29th road point this season but the key player tonight for me was Jordan Staal.

Many have been looking for Evgeni Malkin to step up and have an impact with Crosby out, but it was Staal tonight who broke out offensively in his 6th game this season.

Staal played a strong two way game and helped jumpstart the Penguins in the second period, winning a key offensive zone faceoff that led to Tyler Kennedy's goal.