Sidney Crosby scores twice as Penguins edge Ducks 2-1 in overtime to end 6-game losing streak

By WILL GRAVES The Associated Press

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates after beating Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal for the game winner in overtime of an NHL hockey game Thursday Oct. 31, 2024 in Pittsburgh. (Chaz Palla/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review via AP)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chaz Palla]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby scored his second goal of the game 2:35 into overtime as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 on Thursday night to end a six-game losing streak.

Crosby found himself in alone on Lukas Dostal and hit the brakes before roofing the puck over the Ducks’ goaltender for the 93rd game-winning goal of his career.

Alex Nedeljkovic made 22 saves for Pittsburgh, which outshot Anaheim 46-23. Dostal stopped 44 shots to keep the Ducks in it, but it still wasn’t enough.

Alex Killorn picked up his second goal of the season for the Ducks, who ended a four-game East Coast trip with a 1-2-1 mark.

Anaheim led going into the third period before Crosby tied it with a redirect off a point shot from Matt Grzelcyk 1:47 into the final frame.

Takeaways

Ducks: The 24-year-old Dostal has built off his strong finish to last season. He remained steady while facing near-relentless pressure from the Penguins while finishing with 40+ saves for the third time in six starts.

Penguins: Pittsburgh needed something positive to happen at the end of a miserable October and responded with a win in front of one of the smallest crowds in the history of PPG Paints Arena.

Key moment

Nedeljkovic made three big saves down the stretch. He turned aside Trevor Zegras with the help of defenseman Marcus Pettersson with 4:25 to go, stoned Cutter Gauthier on a breakaway moments later and stopped a redirect by Pavel Mintyukov in the final seconds to force overtime.

Key stat

85-12-5 — Pittsburgh’s record during Crosby’s career when their longtime captain scores at least twice.

Up next

The Ducks begin a six-game homestand on Sunday against the Blackhawks, while the Penguins host the Canadiens on Saturday.

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