Riding an explosive four goal first period, the Pittsburgh Penguins rebounded from Wednesday's overtime loss to St. Louis to defeat the Ottawa Senators on Friday night. Jordan Staal added his 11th goal of the season in the third, pushing the Penguins lead to 6-2. Staal is the second Penguin to double digit goals this season, trailing team leader James Neal by only two.
In just his third game back, Sidney Crosby added three more points against the Senators. It was not quite the performance of his dazzling return on Monday, but his three assists were good enough to earn him the second star of the game. After three penalties on Wednesday against St. Louis, Crosby was sent to the box again on Friday after being whistled for an elbowing penalty. Crosby continues to impress, however, with his three assist first period pacing the Penguins to what would become a four goal lead.
The Pens are now back in first in the Atlantic Division with 30 points, one ahead of Philadelphia and enough for best in the league. After playing in front of the largest crowd in Consol Engery Center's short history, the Pens now travel to Montreal to face the Canadiens on Saturday in the second leg of a back-to-back weekend.
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