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Pittsburgh Penguins: The Morning After New York Links And Notes

By Jason Harrison

Jan 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) looks on against the New York Islanders during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) looks on against the New York Islanders during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Penguins hung five goals on their Metropolitan Division foes last night to cap off Marc-Andre Fleury’s return to the lineup with a 5-2 victory. Sidney Crosby had two goals and now has ten points in his last seven games. Is the captain “back”?

The Pittsburgh Penguins returned to CONSOL Energy Center on Saturday night. Not those imitation Penguins we’ve seen all year. The 100% genuine article, scoring goals and outgunning opponents with some of the finest talent in the NHL.

For one night Pens fans were treated to what they anticipated when they renewed their season tickets prior to the 2015-16 beginning.

Whatever the “next level” is, Sidney Crosby has once again reached it under Mike Sullivan. He’s putting in highlight reel goals and pursuing the puck with the dogged relentlessness that earned him the title “best in the world”. He has 10 points in his last 7 games and 5 goals in his last 5 games.

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Not to be outdone, Evgeni Malkin tacked on three more assists last night and now has 7 points in his last 3 games.

If the heroes keep it going, good things are going to happen for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Phil Kessel going into a scoring slump or Marc-Andre Fleury having a bad game isn’t nearly as glaring when Malkin and Crosby are back on a point per game pace.

Now they will be put to the text in a home-and-home set against the Chicago Blackhawks. No pressure.

About Last Night

Nearly-perfect Penguins beat Islanders, 5-2 [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dave Molinari]

"The Pen­guins have won con­sec­u­tive games for just the sec­ond time since mid-No­vem­ber and im­proved their record to 19-15-4, lift­ing them into a tie with Ot­tawa for ninth place in the Eastern Con­fer­ence. They and the Sena­tors are three points be­hind eighth-place New Jer­sey."

Pens Chatter

Five things we learned in the NHL: Are Panthers for real? [Sportsnet.ca – Emily Sadler]

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"After a career-worst start to his season, Crosby now has five goals in five games — something he hasn’t done since October 2013. Malkin has seven points in his last three games after posting another three-point effort on New Year’s Eve."

Penguins notebook: With Fleury back, impressive Matt Murray returns to AHL [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Jenn Menendez and Seth Rorabaugh]

"“He gets it. I think he understands the process,” said Sullivan. “We’re really excited about his development and about his potential moving forward. As young as he is, in order for him to continue to develop and track that way, he needs to continue to play and get games.”"

Around The League

John Scott officially voted into NHL All-Star Game [Puck Daddy – Josh Cooper]

"Some in the hockey world saw Scott’s possible inclusion in All-Star weekend as a detriment to the game itself. At the NHL’s Board of Governors meetings in Pebble Beach in December, Nashville Predators general manager David Poile indicated he did not want Scott at the All-Star Game."

Jaromir Jagr tweets he doesn’t want to fight John Scott at All-Star Game [The Score – Ben Whyte]

"After seeing Arizona Coyotes enforcer John Scott was also selected as a captain on Saturday, Jagr shared that he now fears for his life even more."

Next: Pens Erupt For Five Goals To Top Islanders 5-2

WJC 2016: Auston Matthews’ Hat Trick Leads USA Past Czechs [Today’s Slapshot – Sonny Sachdeva]

"But Matthews wasn’t done impressing. Just 30 seconds into the third period of the quarterfinal game, the talented pivot walked the blue-line and sniped home another goal to complete the hat trick and give his team a 6–0 lead. Teammate Alex DeBrincat piled on with a seventh goal midway through the third period as well."

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