Crosby impressive in return

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Sidney Crosby missed scoring chance after scoring chance before finally setting up Maxime Talbot for the game’s first goal with only 2:47 remaining. Crosby made an impressive return in his first game in 61⁄2 weeks, leading the Penguins’ 2-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday night.

Marc-Andre Fleury, in only his second start following his own extended injury layoff with a bad ankle, made 35 saves in his first shutout since Nov. 24. Evgeni Malkin, edging to within a point of the NHL scoring lead, scored into an empty net with five seconds remaining.

But it was Crosby’s night. The reigning NHL scoring champion and MVP appeared as if he had been off only a few days rather than since Jan. 18 with a high ankle sprain. He created numerous scoring opportunities with his speed and stickhandling as the Penguins retained their Atlantic Division lead.

Crosby was credited with three shots and had several other near misses before helping break the extended scoreless tie. Crosby cut through the right circle before sending a backhand pass that may have deflected off two Lightning players to Talbot in front of the net.

Lightning goalie Mike Smith couldn’t make the save, perhaps his only mistake on a night when many of his 22 saves were difficult — including a stop of Petr Sykora’s penalty shot in the second period. Despite Smith’s play, the Lightning are 1-6-1 in their last eight and lost their second at home to the Penguins this season, their only losses in their last 15 games against them.

Fleury was even better than Smith while winning his sixth in a row in a streak that began before he also injured his right ankle, Dec. 6, and didn’t start again until beating Atlanta 3-2 in a shootout Sunday.