Crosby’s Montreal Debut Is Memorable

Sidney Crosby waited until the end of his first game in Montreal to savor playing and starring in the home of his once-beloved Canadiens.

Crosby scored on Pittsburgh’s first shot and finished with two goals Tuesday night, leading the Penguins to a 6-4 victory over Montreal, the team the 18-year-old star rooted for as a youngster.

“If you’re too awestruck, you get caught watching, you get caught being happy to be there and you’re not worrying about trying to contribute and then make the difference,” Crosby said.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to enjoy the moment, but you don’t want to get caught up in watching too much and getting stuck out there, so I think the best part for me was probably at the end, getting the win, and it was a bonus to come out with the first star.”

Crosby’s second goal of the game -- his team-leading 21st -- gave the Penguins a 5-4 lead early in the third period. He was credited with the go-ahead goal at 1:58. The game was delayed for a video review that clearly showed that Crosby kicked back a rebound off Jose Theodore toward the Canadiens’ goalie. The puck struck the edge of Theodore’s left skate, which redirected it into the net.

Colorado 3, Nashville 0 -- The host Avalanche got a rare goal from Bob Boughner, and goalie David Aebischer ended a personal four-game losing streak. Aebischer stopped 32 shots, and his second shutout this season and 12th of his career sent the Predators to their fourth straight loss. Boughner’s goal was his first since Jan. 28, 2003.

New Jersey 3, Florida 0 -- Brian Gionta scored two goals, and Patrik Elias had an assist in his first game of the season to help the Devils beat the visiting Panthers.

Elias, New Jersey’s leading scorer in each of the last five seasons, was sidelined for several months after contracting hepatitis A last spring while playing in Europe during the NHL lockout.

Tampa Bay 1, New York Rangers 0 -- Vaclav Propsal jammed the puck past Henrik Lundqvist at 3:47 of overtime, and John Grahame made 36 saves for his second shutout of the season in the Lightning’s victory over the host Rangers.

Lundqvist made 19 saves in New York’s sixth loss in its last eight games.

Minnesota 4, Detroit 2 -- Dwayne Roloson stopped 43 shots and held off a late rally, and Brian Rolston had a goal and an assist to lift the visiting Wild over the Red Wings, who had won five in a row.

Minnesota also got goals from Andrei Zyuzin, Filip Kuba and Alexandre Daigle.

Edmonton 5, Chicago 0 -- Fernando Pisani scored twice and Ty Conklin stopped 23 shots, leading the host Oilers over the Blackhawks, who have lost eight in a row. Shawn Horcoff, Ryan Smyth and Jani Rita also scored for Edmonton, which moved within two points of the first-place Calgary Flames in the Northwest Division.