Crosby’s Shot Lifts Penguins

Pittsburgh rookie Sidney Crosby beat Jose Theodore with a backhander for the only goal in the first shootout in Montreal Canadien history and the Penguins recovered after losing a two-goal lead for a 3-2 victory Thursday night at home.

Crosby had a goal in regulation and so did Mario Lemieux on the next shift after he lay prone on the ice after getting hit by a stick. Jocelyn Thibault -- previously winless -- turned aside 30 shots in easily his best game of the season.

Thibault, facing wave after wave of shooters in the third period and overtime, also stopped Michael Ryder, Alex Kovalev and Alexander Perezhogin in the shootout to deny Montreal its 13th win.

Pittsburgh ended Montreal’s five-game winning streak and earned its second victory in seven home games.

Montreal tied the score on goals from Craig Rivet and rookie Chris Higgins.

Ottawa 5, Boston 2 -- Dany Heatley scored two goals and set a franchise record for the longest consecutive point streak to lead the Senators at Boston. Heatley has scored in all 14 games for Ottawa this season, and has 13 goals and 26 points.

Philadelphia 3, New York Islanders 2 -- Patrick Sharp scored two goals, including the tiebreaker early in the third period, and the Flyers overcame a two-goal deficit at Philadelphia to win their fifth straight game.

New York Rangers 5, Tampa Bay 2 -- Dominic Moore scored twice during the Rangers’ four-goal third period at Tampa, Fla., and New York sent defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay to its fifth straight loss.

Colorado 5, Vancouver 3 -- The Avalanche scored four times in the first 13 minutes at Vancouver, Canada. The Canucks had won their first seven home games.

Chicago 4, St. Louis 2 -- Jim Vandermeer was credited with two goals at St. Louis, including one that was tapped in by the Blues’ Mark Rycroft, to help the Blackhawks extend the Blues’ franchise-record losing streak to 10.

Calgary 4, Phoenix 3 -- Jarome Iginla had two assists and scored the winning goal on a penalty shot to lift the Flames at Glendale, Ariz. Calgary has won five games in a row.

Nashville 5, Dallas 3 -- Steve Sullivan scored three goals, two on the power play, but failed on a penalty shot as the Predators defeated the Stars at Nashville.