The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to navigate an inconsistent season, but recent results have offered some encouragement. Pittsburgh now sits fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a 17-12-9 record and has won three of its last four games.
That momentum carried into Tuesday night, when the Penguins delivered a convincing 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The game also added another historic milestone to Sidney Crosby’s legendary career.
Penguins Rout Hurricanes as Crosby Climbs the Record Books
Crosby got the Penguins on the board early and added another milestone to his remarkable career. The goal was his 232nd career go-ahead tally. It pulled him even with Teemu Selanne for fourth place on the NHL’s all-time list, trailing only Alex Ovechkin, Brett Hull, and Jaromir Jagr.
It was yet another highlight in a strong year for the Penguins captain. Crosby has now reached 90 points in the 2025 calendar year, marking the 10th time in his career he’s hit the 90-point mark in a calendar year. That ties him with Mark Messier for third-most in league history, behind Wayne Gretzky and Marcel Dionne.
This season, Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 21 goals and 40 points through 38 games.
Penguins Control the Game From Start to Finish
Crosby’s opening goal came just minutes into the first period, as he finished a quick snap shot from the right side of the net after taking a feed from Rickard Rakell, even dropping to one knee to get the shot away.
Justin Brazeau then scored to make it 2-0 with Brett Kulak’s assist. Anthony Mantha then got the loose puck in the slot at 17:12 to make it 3-0 on the power play.
The scoring continued in the second period. Novak fired a wrist shot from the high slot at 15:08. Mantha added his second of the night at 18:08, redirecting a pass from Brazeau to extend the lead to 5-0.
Carolina finally responded 17 seconds later, as Jankowski scored at 18:25 to cut the deficit to 5-1.
After the win, Penguins head coach Dan Muse emphasized the importance of the team staying committed to its game plan. “We just kept playing. That’s what we want,” Muse said. “I think when you start to get too far away from it, in terms of you go into the third period with a lead like that, and you suddenly change what you’re doing, it can go the other way. That’s been the message all year.”
ALSO READ: Penguins Insider Pulls No Punches in Brutal Assessment of $11,000,000 Ex-Oilers D-Man
With Crosby setting the tone, the Penguins will next face the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
