Sidney Crosby has etched his name further into Pittsburgh Penguins history by surpassing Mario Lemieux’s franchise record for assists during a recent matchup against the New York Islanders. Crosby achieved this milestone with a precise backhand pass to Michael Bunting, who scored on the power play, marking Crosby's 1,034th career assist. This accomplishment places him 12th on the NHL's all-time assists list, with only three players having recorded more assists with a single team: Ray Bourque, Wayne Gretzky, and Steve Yzerman.
The Penguins secured a 3-2 victory over the Islanders, with Evgeni Malkin contributing the decisive power-play goal in the third period. This win is significant for Pittsburgh, as it marks their seventh victory in the last eight games played at home. The team's recent performance has seen them score 14 power-play goals over the last 13 games, showcasing their effectiveness with the man advantage.
In addition to Crosby’s historic assist, the game featured contributions from Anthony Beauvillier, who also found the net for the Islanders. Despite a strong rally in the third period with goals from Anders Lee and Bo Horvat, the Islanders could not overcome a 3-0 deficit. Marcus Hogberg, in his first start since 2021, faced 38 shots but was unable to secure a victory. The Penguins, recovering from a prior loss to the Islanders, have now won 10 of their last 15 games, indicating a turnaround in their season.
Looking ahead, both teams are set to meet again shortly, with the Penguins traveling to Detroit and the Islanders beginning a home-and-home series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
