Sidney Crosby's Night: Two Goals, Two Assists in Return as Pens Win 5-0

by FrankD on Nov 21, 2011 9:44 PM EST in Game Recaps

Did we really expect anything less?

Sidney Crosby didn't just return to the ice, he tilted it in his favor. From the second he set foot on the ice the crowd was behind him and it was apparent from a very early stage that he was not missing a step. Not one bit. His first goal in 2011 was a prime example of how he has not lost his speed, power or accuracy during his time off. A beautiful backhand going top shelf is patented Crosby, and nothing says "I'm back" like a signature goal.

Not only did Sid pick up at least a goal in his debut, but he also helped facilitate two others (Brooks Orpik, Evgeni Malkin) before tallying his second of the year on a weird play that somehow ended with the puck in the back of the Islanders' net. But I don't hear any Penguins fans complaining about that. Just another example of how all the bounces were just going his way.

The highlight of Pittsburgh's night is obvious, but hopefully Marc-Andre Fleury's play is not hidden under the return of No. 87. Fleury recorded his 11th win of the season (11-3-1), a win that also doubles over as his 16th career win against the Islanders. Factor in his shutout and it couldn't have been a better night for the Pens all around.

Tough to see former Pen Mark Eaton go down with an injury. Given his history of knee injuries, the hope is that his initial prognosis of "sprained MCL" remains a sprain and doesn't get worse over the next few days. Also good to see that given Matt Cooke's history of play it can genuinely be construed as an accident and not an intentional knee-on-knee collision.

In a perfect world Crosby pots that third goal, hats rain down on the ice and he skates off into the spotlight as the first star of the game. But four points isn't exactly a tough outing at all, and he was ultimately named the first star regardless.

Say what you will about the Penguins beating the "lowly" Islanders. The point isn't that they beat a struggling team, the point is Crosby alleviated any doubts about his health, his rust or his skills with a brilliant four-point night. He will undoubtedly be evaluated by doctors, but hopefully they don't have to look too far past the score sheet to see that Crosby is doing just fine.

Blues come to town Wednesday at 7pm.

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What a game. 2 goals, 4 points for Sid. shut-out for Flower. Perfection

Mario LeBest

Twitter @marcy8771

by GoPenguins on Nov 21, 2011 9:45 PM EST reply actions

NOOOOO!!!!!

Only 4, one shy of my prediction!!!

Let's grind these bitches down!

by lostprophetRJX on Nov 21, 2011 9:52 PM EST reply actions

Amazing!!

But what else would you expect from The Kid!

Could have had 8-9 points tonight, but settles for ONLY 4 lol!

Vintage Sid all game, nothing has changed, and that is awesome to see.

Way to go FLOWER, played great tonight, and kept the Isles from spoiling the party with some beauty stops.

Welcome back Michalek too!

WHAT A NIGHT!

by LastSonOfKrypton on Nov 21, 2011 10:11 PM EST reply actions

What an awesome game! It couldn’t have been any better—Sid shows the world he’s still got it, while everyone else stepped up their game at the same time. Absolutely awesome!

by Hatt the Moople on Nov 21, 2011 10:21 PM EST reply actions

Thankyou Sid

thankyou for your triumphant return!! you are the greatest player in the world and you proved it tonight!

by ween on Nov 21, 2011 10:21 PM EST reply actions

dangerous

This team is scary good.

Team effort all around. With all the heavy (and I mean HEAVY) Sid praise on Versus tonight, it’s really really important to recognize what the rest of the team brought to the table. All four lines tonight brought their A-game. And it is that group effort that allows this team to succeed.

Flower got the shutout, the PK was flawless, the defense had a great net-front presence, the PP really moved the puck, and every single one of our skaters looked like they really really wanted it tonight.

Yes, it’s great to have Sidney Crosby back in the lineup, but it’s really important that we fans acknowledge everyone’s contributions. Like the commentators said, this is the pinnacle of team sports. Each player’s individual effort makes it easier for the next.

cant wait for the rest of this season. GO PENS!

by TheGasMan on Nov 21, 2011 10:38 PM EST reply actions

Agree with you , great team effort.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Nov 21, 2011 11:14 PM EST up reply actions

Neal Tipping the Scales

Gosh that Neal trade looks good right now. I admit that I disparaged it at the time … but wow. And Neal is young. He’s too good to be on a team where his production will be icing on the cake. He’s Marian Hossa with a better attitude.

Anyway … we shouldn’t get too excited about a blowout of one of the worst teams in the league …. but what a game!

grain of salt

by PaulMorel on Nov 21, 2011 10:46 PM EST reply actions

Funny about that trade

Is the guy who runs the Winnipeg Jets SBnation blog was trying to tell me that we flat out lost the trade. When I try to explain that he’s wrong and that we had a damn good GM, I was banned. I guess some people can’t take criticism.

But I agree, that trade is beginning to pay off in dividends. All it took was some time for James to get used to the system and develop chemistry with his teammates.

Pittsburgh Sports: Creating sports history and legends since 1887.

by Bradley James McEachern on Nov 22, 2011 2:15 AM EST up reply actions

Were you really banned?

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Nov 22, 2011 8:57 AM EST up reply actions

Swear to God, I was banned on the weekend

I wouldn’t make that up.

Pittsburgh Sports: Creating sports history and legends since 1887.

by Bradley James McEachern on Nov 22, 2011 9:17 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

That’s upsetting on so many levels.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page

by FrankD on Nov 22, 2011 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

I am very surprised because Gabe is pretty tolerable. I know he mentioned that the Pens went after Neal because they thought he had shot quality. That’s a questionable reason to justify a trade, but I’m not aware of any public statements by the team which justified the trade on those grounds.

Nonetheless, I think Neal/Niskanen is turning out better than Gogo.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Nov 22, 2011 11:35 AM EST up reply actions

Overall, I think it turned out a good trade for both clubs. The Stars got what they wanted, as dd the Pens. No need to bash any team or any player.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Nov 22, 2011 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

No one is bashing any team or player. I just think a top line forward who can score against top opposition ismore valuable than a third pairing d-man. Throw in Niskanen and the Pens got the better bargain IMO.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Nov 22, 2011 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

I wasn’t talking about you (bashing), I was talking about other people posting about this trade. As I stated Dallas wanted an offensive defenseman , and they got what they wanted. Gogo is doing well there (now he is out) And the Pens are satisfied with what they got.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Nov 22, 2011 7:07 PM EST up reply actions

don’t forget about Niskanen, he is playing pretty good so far as well….many people ‘dog’ him, but a +7 (2nd best on the team) so far this looks pretty good to me…

"He doesn’t know whether to cry or wind his watch."..... Mike Lange

by Randy F on Nov 22, 2011 7:45 AM EST up reply actions

"I have to work on a few things"

That’s what Sid said. I guess he is still a little rusty. Are you kidding me, what a performance. reminded me of the one i saw in person with a guy that had #66.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Nov 21, 2011 10:47 PM EST reply actions

I'm more concerned

With how Michalek did. I didn’t get to see the game, did he look ok? Block some shots?

by Hillbutton on Nov 21, 2011 11:54 PM EST reply actions

He had a good game

Also thought Malkin skated his best game of the season, first time he looked 100% for an entire game to be honest.

UW Alumni 09

by SouthpawsLaundry on Nov 22, 2011 1:25 AM EST up reply actions

Malkin got out of his minor shooting drought and that monkey was growing for a few games. Sully finally got his 2nd and out of his longer shooting drought.

Michalek looked great at fishing pucks out of our end and Martin played with more confidence with his partner paired with him.

by Labo on Nov 22, 2011 9:29 AM EST up reply actions

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Have you ever seen such finesse?"
"When you lose say little, when you win say less"
"You're a wiser man with Yzerman, but you're better off with Federov"

by GiuseppeD on Nov 22, 2011 12:04 AM EST reply actions

Mario parallel?

I remember Mario coming back after his treatment. I think he scored 4 goals that night. His face was all bloated and he looked tight at first. Then he just did the Mario thing, what we call the impossible.

OK. Crosby didn’t do the impossible but the similarities are still there to enjoy.

Will be interesting to see him chase down Phil Kessel like Mario chased down Pat Lafontaine. 29 points back? Nope, now it is 25 back.

by vodkasoda on Nov 22, 2011 12:37 AM EST reply actions

very Lemiuex like wasn’t it!?!

Life is about one simple choice, get busy living or get busy dying

by Dr Tre on Nov 22, 2011 12:40 AM EST reply actions

Absolutely. Except on Mario’s last return in 2000 against the Leafs, he had been out of the game for 3 years.!!!!

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Nov 22, 2011 1:11 PM EST up reply actions

Incredible game

He might be the most dominant athlete in sports considering where he left off and the game he had tonight. Can’t wait for Wednesday.

UW Alumni 09

by SouthpawsLaundry on Nov 22, 2011 1:24 AM EST reply actions

The thing I have always liked most about him, is how selfless he is… even when he had 2 goals at the end of the game he was passing up bad shots to set up the other players..

Glad he’s back, he looked damn good…

There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...

by Stros Bro on Nov 22, 2011 2:01 AM EST reply actions

Yes, and he gave the game puck to Flower for his shutout. That’s a captain and a team guy.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Nov 22, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

Some random guy at my fav sports bar called out Crosby’s 2nd goal few minutes in advance. All I could say at the time was that he had a good chance of predicting because of the Pens stellar 3rd period play. 2 minutes later and the lamp was lit again. Anyone trying to sleep in downtown Morgantown was rudely awakened dozens of boozed out Pens fans.

Next up, Jaroslav Halek and hopefully some payback from 2 playoff years ago. Probably time to start shopping for Tampa tix at Consol too.

by Labo on Nov 22, 2011 9:40 AM EST reply actions

Did the Pens look Good or did the Iles look really bad?

It is probably a combination of both. The Iles goalie was out of position on at least 4 of the 5 goals.

Over the next week or so we should have a better idea if we are as good as we think.

by Steeler Nation VA on Nov 22, 2011 10:04 AM EST reply actions

I get your point, but the Pens looked good. The Isles certainly looked out of sync. I agree with you that the next 10 games or so will give a better picture. On the other hand, I think everyone forgot what’s like to play with this entire roster on the ice.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Nov 22, 2011 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

Don't get me wrong - I loved watching the game

I too was so excited to see the # 87 jersey back on the ice. I was amazed at how he looked. How much better he made everybody else look. Malkin looked so much better going against the 2nd defensive line. Staal’s line was great shutting down their top line. Even our 4th line was solid.

It was fun, but I know that we are not going to win every game 5-0.

Crosby won’t get 4 point every night. But can he play solid? Yea, he proved that.

by Steeler Nation VA on Nov 22, 2011 10:38 AM EST up reply actions

The Isles were out gunned

They can’t match the Pens skill… few can.

With all of the excitement of having Sid back and actually getting what looks to be a 100% Sid back, there was nothing they could do to stop the Pens. Just one of those nights.

As for the goalie being out of position at least 4 of the 5 goals… I don’t think he was out on Sid’s 1st, got a bad break on Sid’s 2nd through a lot of traffic as well. Orpik’s was a blast, against the grain top shelf, not much he could have done there. I’m not saying he win great position, but saying out of position at least 4 of the 5 is a stretch IMO.

There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...

by Stros Bro on Nov 22, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

Sid was sucking pond water, but his skills were still there, just like he’s been playing these 10 months.

"Hockey is the only tribe I belong to." -Jack Falla
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by AlexStitch on Nov 22, 2011 1:10 PM EST reply actions

87 Nothing Special

Remember who said that. I’ll give you a clue, it was a Caps player who was a healthy scratch last night. Karma.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Nov 22, 2011 1:52 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

What’s so special about [Crosby]? I don’t see anything special there. Yes, he does skate well, has a good head, good pass. But there’s nothing else. Even if you compare him to Patrick Kane from Chicago … [Kane] is a much more interesting player. The way he moves, his deking abilities, his thinking on the ice and his anticipation of the play is so superb.

That was in 2009 when Semin had 84 points and Sid had 109, 2nd in the league in points.

Semin this season has 9 points, 5 ahead of Sid.

There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...

by Stros Bro on Nov 22, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, it was Semin. I thought it was it was a strange twist of fate that the guy that said that was a healthy scratch, while #87 was scoring half his total points in one night.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Nov 22, 2011 2:14 PM EST up reply actions