Penguins/NHL
CROSBY 25 GAME STREAK
Sidney Crosby’s point streak reached 25 games tonight with a four point effort and holds the 3rd longest points streak in Penguins history. Crosby is inching closer to Lemieux’s 28 game points streak (2nd longest in team history), which would be a phenomenal feat in today’s era.
The NHL record is Wayne Gretzky’s 51 game streak in 1983-84. Lemieux’s team-record, is a 46-game streak in 1989-90, which was halted when he was forced to sit out due a bad back.
Crosby’s 25 game streak is the 11th longest in the history of the game. Wayne Gretzky (1990-91), Bryan Trottier (1981-82), Brett Hull (1991-92) and Bernie Nicholls (1984-85) also had 25 game streaks.
Crosby leads the NHL with 32 goals – 33 assists for 65 points. He has 26 goals – 24 assists – 50 points – +21 rating and 16 multi-point games during his 25 game streak. Tonight was the 7th game during the streak that Crosby has recorded three or more points, according to STATS.
DOMINANCE AGAINST SOUTHEAST DIVISION
The Penguins improved to 3-0 against the Atlanta Thrashers this season and are now 9-1 against the Southeast Division.
Crosby has six goals and four assists in three games against Atlanta this season, including his first natural hat trick during Dec. 2.
BYLSMA: ADAMS GETS REWARDED FOR HARD WORK
Craig Adams shorthanded goal in the second period was the Penguins 7th shorthanded goal this season and Adams first goal in 28 games. It was a big goal from the Penguins PK unit that several times took momentum away from the Thrashers.
“It’s great for Craig Adams and that was an outstanding shot, coming across his body and he one times it over the glove and it was a great goal, ” head coach Dan Bylsma said. “That was a big goal at that point in the game….Because we had started to dictate in second period but that power play was a chance for them to get right back into it and way their power play was shooting puck was pretty dangerous. To get the forecheck their by Cookie and get the play by Craig Adams who came up with a pretty goal, big goal…. and gets rewarded for hard work.”
ALUMNI GAME
Hall-of-famer Mario Lemieux and several other NHLer’s including Rick Tocchett and Bob Errey to name a few, skated Tuesday afternoon at Consol as the former players are going through preparations for the alumni game.
Mario was taking it easy for most of the scrimmage but the hands are clearly still there for 66.
PENS FOCUSED ON ISLANDERS
Before the Penguins can look to Saturday’s Winter Classic Game, the team has to first deal with the New York Islanders Wednesday night on Long Island. The team traveled to New York immediately following the game.
Pittsburgh will look to push their NHL-best record to 26 wins and 54 points.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
Pittsburgh is 18-3-1 with Chris Conner in the lineup
