Practice Pays Off

There`s no doubt that the tough practice Friday helped fuel the Pens big night. Four milestones were achieved by two of the team's top players; Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Sidney Crosby scored his 100th career goal, 200th career assist, and 300th career point. Evgeni Malkin reached 200 career points and then one with four assists on the night.

To start the game the Pens had three straight penalties to kill; four minutes for high-sticking, two for hooking, and two for too many men. The first two penalties were killed off with ease. When it came to the third penalty Nik Antropov netted his first of the season with help from Jason Blake & Tomas Kaberle at 14:25.

But less than a minute later the Pens got themselves in the game with a tip-in goal from Pascal Dupuis. Dupuis second of the season came at 15:16 with help from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

At the end of the first twenty minutes the shots were tied and so was the game. But mid-way through the second the Pens took the lead for the first time in the game on the power play. Miroslav Satan redirected the puck in behind Curtis Joseph at 7:55 with help from Crosby and Malkin, Crosby`s 300th point.

In the third period Joseph dove out the net, a defenseman went sliding in; Crosby who was behind the net threw the puck out front and with luck and a crazy bounce it went in. Sidney Crosby scored his 100th career at12:15 with help from Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.

The Leafs thought they had gotten themselves back in the game when Nik Antropov put the puck behind Fleury again. But after review it was clear that a distinct kicking motion was used and the goal was waved off.

Petr Sykora scored his first of the season just over a minute after Crosby's goal. The tip-in on the goal line was scored at 13:36 with help from Malkin and Crosby.

It's clear that the changes that were made to the line combination helped. Crosby and Malkin have a chemistry that can`t be destroyed, and Staal`s played better than previously after being moved back to center. Marc-Andre Fleury whose play has been spectacular thus far stopped 26 of the 27 shots he faced.

The three stars of the game were 3. Marc-Andre Fleury, 2. Evgeni Malkin, 1. Sidney Crosby.

Bill Thomas made his debut at home in his hometown while Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), Matt Cooke (rib), Darryl Sydor, and Paul Bissonnette missed the game.

The Pens go on the road for their first real road game Monday night. They will be facing the Boston Bruins in their home opener at 7:08.