Sykora scores winner for Pens

ATLANTA (AP) — Petr Sykora redirected Sidney Crosby’s slap shot on a power play with 2:40 remaining to give Pittsburgh a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday night, the Penguins’ seventh win in their last games.

Crosby scored his seventh goal to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead 12:24 into the second period. He also was credited with a pair of assists, including his 18th on Sykora’s fourth goal of the season.

Atlanta has lost two straight following a five-game winning streak. Slava Kozlov, scoring a goal in his third straight game, gave the Thrashers a 1-0 lead on a power play 4:41 into the first with his 11th of the season.

Miroslav Satan’s ninth goal, a tip-in at the 10:57 mark of the first, forced a 1-all tie for the Penguins. Jim Slater made it 2-2 with his second goal, a wide wraparound from the right side 1:14 after Crosby scored.