Sidney Crosby's third career hat-trick helped the Pittsburgh Penguins to their 10th win of the season on Wednesday, a 6-1 thrashing of the Montreal Canadiens. The performance came three years to the day after the 22-year-old centre's first career hat-trick, against the Philadelphia Flyers. "When you get three goals in a game, that kind of changes the look of your [season] numbers early on," said Crosby.
"I'm trying to shoot the puck when I get chances and trying to not pass up good shots, but it's just been a matter of the puck going in early on." The Colorado Avalanche also won their 10th game as they came from two goals behind to beat the Calgary Flames 3-2. "It would have been easy for our guys to say, 'We'll get 'em next time'," said the Colorado coach, Joe Sacco. Wojtek Wolski scored a third-period winner for Colorado, who are off to the best start in team history.
The Islanders won the 'Battle of New York' as they overcame the Rangers 3-1. "We're way too easy to play against," grumbled the Rangers' coach, John Tortorella. David Perron had two goals as the St Louis Blues beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 while Nick Foligno and Jarkko Ruutu scored 38 seconds apart as the Ottawa Senators edged the Florida Panthers 4-3. James Neal's overtime goal gave the Dallas Stars a 4-3 victory over the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs, the Buffalo Sabres enjoyed a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils and the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets, also 4-1.
Ryane Clowe scored in the sixth round of a shootout as the San Jose Sharks beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1. akunawicz@thenational.ae
