Prudential Center—In Newark, New Jersey, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin orchestrated a stunning comeback for the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Devils, marking one of their memorable performances in their 18 seasons together. Despite trailing 3-1 after two periods, Crosby and Malkin rallied with two goals each in the third period, leading the Penguins to a crucial 6-3 victory, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
The Penguins’ consecutive wins have narrowed the gap to three points behind the Washington Capitals for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, with seven games remaining in the season. Crosby highlighted the team effort, emphasizing the importance of contributions during the critical stage of the season. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan praised the resilience and determination of his team, acknowledging the gutsy effort displayed.
“Geno comes up with a huge tip, then Raks and Geno again,” Crosby said of the rapid-fire sequence of late goals. ”We did a great job. We earned that one.”
Rickard Rakell and Crosby’s late goals sealed the win for Pittsburgh, capping off an emotional and rewarding performance. Despite the Devils’ strong start, they faltered in the face of the Penguins’ comeback, with interim head coach Travis Green lamenting costly mistakes in the crucial moments of the game. Crosby’s leadership and Malkin’s offensive prowess have been instrumental for the Penguins throughout their careers, with the duo’s synergy proving pivotal in numerous games.
As Pittsburgh aims to avoid missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season, Crosby and Malkin’s experience and championship pedigree provide optimism for their postseason aspirations. Meanwhile, the late collapse adds to the disappointment for the Devils in what has been a frustrating season following their playoff success of last year.
