Thursday, March 29, 2007

Pens take temporary custody of 1st in the Atlantic with 4-2 win over Bruins

Sidney Crosby had three assists, while Erik Christensen had two goals and an assist as the Penguins beat the Boston Bruins 4-2 at TD Banknorth Garden. The other two goals for were Colby Armstrong and Evgeni Malkin. Boston's Phil Kessel had two assists as Marc Savard's line was held scoreless. If not for the play of Boston's Tim Thomas in net, the game would have been much more lopsided.

The win gives the Penguins 100 points on the season, and temporary hold on 1st place in the Atlantic Division and the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race. NJ still holds a game in hand and controls their own destiny. The Devils play the Flyers on Friday. The Penguins play at Toronto on Saturday. The Maple Leafs currently hold down the 9th spot with 85 points, one point behind Tampa and Montreal, who are tied for 7th.

The Pens have won the three previous meetings against Toronto, including an 8-2 drubbing in Pittsburgh on January 20th.

Crosby extended his lead in the scoring race to 12 points over San Jose's Joe Thornton, 116 to 104, although Thornton has 5 games left to Crosby's 4.

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