Sidney Crosby’s three goals lead Penguins past Sabres, 5-4

Sidney Crosby scored three goals in slightly more than eight minutes of the second period as the Pittsburgh Penguins quickly turned a two-goal deficit into a two-goal lead, then held on to beat the Buffalo Sabres, 5-4, on Monday night.

Crosby tied Patrick Marleau of idle San Jose for the NHL goals lead with 37. Crosby’s hat trick was his third of the season and fifth of his career.

After protecting a two-goal lead for much of the third period, the Penguins were holding on at the end. Jason Pominville scored on a power play with three minutes remaining, and the Penguins were forced to kill off Brooks Orpik’s holding penalty with 2:04 remaining as Marc-Andre Fleury made several excellent saves.

-- associated press