Crosby has 2 goals, 2 assists in NHL return after long recovery from concussion
Posted November 22, 2011 7:28 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
PITTSBURGH – It only took one shot for Sidney Crosby to meet the huge expectations around his NHL return.
Crosby scored twice and added two assists in his season debut and the Pittsburgh Penguins crushed the New York Islanders 5-0 on Monday night.
Playing his first game in more than 10 months while recovering from concussion-like symptoms, Crosby appeared to be in mid-season form.
He scored on his third shift in spectacular fashion, weaving through the New York defence before beating Anders Nilsson with a backhand for his first goal since last December. It was Pittsburgh’s first shot of the game.
Crosby added assists on goals by Evgeni Malkin and Brooks Orpik and capped his comeback with a second tally, a backhand that fluttered by Nilsson early in the third period to provide the final margin.
Steve Sullivan also scored for the Penguins while Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 29 shots.
Nilsson, making just his second start of the season, made 31 saves for New York.
