Monday, Dec. 1, 2008

PITTSBURGH (AP) The rest of the NHL had better take notice. Sidney Crosby is living up to his superstar image.

Crosby had his first career hat trick at Mellon Arena and added an assist, and the Pittsburgh Penguins snapped the New Jersey Devils' five-game winning streak with a 4-1 victory Saturday night.

Crosby, who has six goals in three games to give him a team-high 13 for the season, scored twice Friday night at Buffalo. He posted consecutive multiple-goal games for the first time in his career.

"Obviously this whole league is full of talented players, and then there's the elite players who are even more talented," Devils goalie Scott Clemmensen said. "And when those guys are the hardest-working players on the ice, then that is scary good. Just scary good."

Petr Sykora also scored and Dany Sabourin made 29 saves for Pittsburgh, which completed a 9-2-1 November.

Michael Rupp had a third-period goal for the Devils.

Crosby has nine points in three games to give him 34 in 23 games this season.

"The last week Sid really picked up his game," Penguins coach Michel Therrien said. "You could see the fire in his eyes and that he was having fun."

Crosby had a goal during each period for his second career hat trick — and first since Oct. 28, 2006. But that was in Philadelphia; this was the first time he was showered with hats from the home fans.

"It's nice to do it at home," Crosby said. "It's something that you don't know when it's going to happen again, so it's nice."

Crosby was at his fast-skating, playmaking best most of the contest, and he scored just 1:21 into it. The Penguins' 21-year-old captain carried the puck into the offensive zone, splitting Paul Martin and Bryce Salvador to get in close on Clemmensen from the right side. He briefly lost control of the puck before spinning to the left of the crease and firing a turning backhand past Clemmensen.

"The guy never gives up on the play, that's for sure," Clemmensen said.

Oilers 4, Blues

In St. Louis, Shawn Horcoff had a goal and an assist in the third period and the Oilers overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the Blues.

Kings 5, Blackhawks 2

In Los Angeles, Derek Armstrong scored the go-ahead goal in the third period to end a 29-game drought, Alexander Frolov had a goal and an assist in his 400th NHL game, and the Kings beat the Blackhawks.

Bruins 4, Red Wings 1

In Boston, Blake Wheeler and David Krejci both had a goal and an assist, and the Bruins beat the Red Wings for their ninth straight home win.

Canadiens 3, Sabres 2

In Montreal, Andrei Markov scored the Canadiens' third goal of the second period to lift Monteal over Buffalo.

Islanders 4, Senators 2

In Uniondale, N.Y., Islanders defenseman Freddy Meyer scored twice and added an assist, and New York snapped a two-game losing streak by beating Ottawa.

Blue Jackets 3, Capitals 0

In Columbus, Rick Nash scored twice and rookie Steve Mason stopped 26 shots to lead the Blue Jackets to a victory over Washington that snapped Columbus' three-game home losing skid.

Maple Leafs 4, Flyers 2

In Toronto, Dominic Moore and Nik Antropov each had a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs, who beat Philadelphia in front of new team president and general manager Brian Burke.

Wild 6, Predators 2

In Nashville, Mikko Koivu scored two goals and added an assist to lead the Wild over the Predators.

Sharks 3, Coyotes 2

In Glendale, Ariz., Joe Pavelski scored twice, including the go-ahead goal with 8:37 remaining, and San Jose rallied from an early two-goal deficit to beat Phoenix.

Avalanche 4, Lightning 3

In Denver, Wojtek Wolski scored two goals, Marek Svatos had three assists and Colorado held on to beat Tampa Bay.

Flames 3, Canucks 1

In Calgary, Daymond Langkow scored the pivotal first goal in the Flames' victory over the Canucks.

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