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Crosby, Malkin and Neal explode in Penguins win

James Neal

Pittsburgh Penguins’ James Neal, second from left, celebrates with teammates Evgeni Malkin, left, Matt Niskanen, second from right, and Sidney Crosby, right, after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

AP

It was a milestone night for Evgeni Malkin, but ultimately, it was a showing of how powerful this Pittsburgh Penguins team can really be.

The Pens pounded the Winnipeg Jets 8-4 in Sidney Crosby’s first game back in Pittsburgh as part of his second comeback. Crosby racked up four assists - all through the first two periods, but only managed to be the third star of the game because his other teammates were so impressive.

James Neal got the second one with a hat trick, but Geno’s 200 (and 201) goal celebration earned a first star thanks to his ridiculous five-point output.

To review:


  • Malkin’s five-point night gives him 93 on the season, with 43 goals. His Art Ross lead over Steven Stamkos and Claude Giroux grew to nine points.
  • Neal is making that $5 million-per-year extension seem perfectly fair as he now has 35 goals and 72 points on the season.
  • Crosby now has nine points (all assists) in his four games back and has two goals and 21 points in 12 contests in 2011-12.

This win bumps the Penguins up to 96 points with a blistering 12-0-1 run. Here are the highlights of the game:

With the Philadelphia Flyers dropping a 2-1 regulation loss to the Florida Panthers tonight, it looks like it’ll come down to the New York Rangers vs. Penguins for the Atlantic Division title - and the first seed in the East.

Here’s an updated view of that race:

Rangers: 97 points, 42 regulation/OT wins, 10 games left - five at home and on the road
Penguins: 96 points, 36 regulation/OT wins, 10 games left - six at home and four on the road

The Penguins host the Rangers in Pittsburgh on April 5, the penultimate game of their season. You’re not crazy for thinking that the Atlantic Division might be decided in that game.

Then again, with the way Pittsburgh is playing, the Rangers might be lucky to hold them off until then.