Crosby’s streak ends in Pens’ loss

Associated Press

UNIONDALE, N.Y.

The way Sidney Crosby has owned the New York Islanders, no one could have predicted his greatest scoring run would be wrecked by them.

Crosby’s streak of 25 games with at least a point — tied for the 11th longest in NHL history — was snapped by the Islanders and goalie Rick DiPietro, who stopped the Pittsburgh captain and the rest of the Penguins’ high-powered offense in a 2-1 shootout victory Wednesday night.

“That wasn’t me. It was a complete team effort,” DiPietro said. “The defensive corps played with a lot of focus and a lot of heart. When we’re playing smart in our defensive zone, we’re a good hockey team.”

Crosby had scored in every game since Nov. 3 at Dallas. The run, in which Crosby had 26 goals and 24 assists, was the longest in the NHL since Quebec’s Mats Sundin had a 30-game streak during the 1992-93 season.

“It would’ve been nice to keep things going, but it was one of those games,” Crosby said.

Crosby also had goals in five consecutive games before being shut down by the Islanders, the team he has victimized the most — along with Philadelphia — with 62 points in 33 career games. Crosby also was denied on Pittsburgh’s second shootout attempt when DiPietro made a pad save.

“There was a few (chances) out there for him and his linemates,” Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. “I’m sure we’ll see another streak.”

Josh Bailey gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead in the second period, but Chris Conner tied it before the frame was over.

That left the game in the hands of DiPietro and Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury, the only goalies to be chosen No. 1 overall in the NHL draft.

DiPietro finished with 37 saves through overtime in his first outing after sitting out five games while dealing with swelling in his surgically repaired left knee. Fleury stopped 25 shots.