Penguins shut out Rangers

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby returned to the Penguins’ lineup Sunday, but Marc-Andre Fleury made sure Pittsburgh didn’t need him.

Fleury stopped 33 shots and Petr Sykora had a goal and an assist to lead the Penguins to a 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers.

Fleury posted his second shutout of the season and 13th of his career, while Chris Minard and Tyler Kennedy each added a goal for Pittsburgh, which altered its style to the more defensive-oriented 1-4 after a recent stretch of losing seven of eight.

“I think this was similar to last game and the [win against Philadelphia on Tuesday],” Fleury said. “The guys did a great job of not giving them too many scoring chances and we got some turnovers, got chances. We got some goals early, so that was a big game for us.”

The Penguins have won three of their last four games and moved back into playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

Crosby was back after sitting out Friday’s game with an apparent knee injury. He missed a penalty shot early in the second period and saw his five-game scoring streak end. He was hurt during Wednesday’s loss to Washington.

“The leg felt pretty good,” he said. “Hopefully it’s better, but we’ll see tomorrow.

The Rangers’ three-game winning streak ended as they were shut out for the third time this season. New York hasn’t won in regulation at Mellon Arena in the past 12 games, including playoffs.

“That little extra intensity wasn’t really there for us,” New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist said. “I think the way they played, they made it pretty tough for us to get that edge. They slowed it down and just were waiting for mistakes. If we had gotten the first goal, maybe it’s a different game, but once they got a 2-0 lead they played smart after that.”

Fleury has allowed only one goal in his past two games. The Penguins traded for Mahieu Garon on Saturday to perhaps push Fleury, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 draft who has been spectacular at times but inconsistent at others.

Fleury had a 2.94 goals-against average and .905 save percentage and had given up at least four goals during seven of his past 17 starts, causing Penguins coach Michel Therrien to publicly question his team’s goaltending.