The Penguins broke their eight-game losing streak and Sidney Crosby passed Mario Lemieux to become the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, with a goal and an assist in a 4-3 shootout win over Montreal.
Crosby scored a game-tying goal, his team-leading 20th of the season, in the first period, and then he assisted on Rickard Rakell’s second-period goal. Noel Acciari scored the Pens’ third goal in regulation, and after a scoreless overtime, Kevin Hayes and Rakell scored for the Penguins while goaltender Arturs Silovs stopped two of the three Montreal attempts, giving the Pens their first shootout win this season after five losses.
Crosby has scored 645 career goals, with 1,079 assists for a total of 1,724 points in 1,387 games over 21 seasons. Lemieux scored 690 goals, adding 1,033 assists in only 915 games over 17 seasons.
Crosby says it hasn’t been easy getting this milestone.
As the Penguins played a video tribute to Crosby after the historic achievement, the PPG Paints Arena crowd suddenly fell silent when Lemieux’s image appeared with his congratulations. Crosby says that was a special moment.
Crosby says no matter how many points he has scored or end up scoring, Mario will always be number one.
Coach Dan Muse was awestruck by Crosby’s accomplishment.
Muse says the Pens worked hard to finally break the losing streak.
The Penguins play an afternoon game tomorrow, facing off shortly after 4 PM in Toronto. They are then off until Sunday night, when they play in Chicago.
