Crosby leads surging Penguins into Montreal

Dec 16, 2006, 18:00 GMT

(Sports Network) - Both Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins try to keep up impressive recent scoring paces as the team hits the road for a showdown with the Montreal Canadiens this evening.

The Penguins have won four consecutive games and compiled 24 goals over that stretch. After routing the Philadelphia Flyers by an 8-4 count on Wednesday, Pittsburgh had another offensive eruption during Friday's 7-4 triumph over the New York Islanders at Mellon Arena.

Ryan Malone recorded his first career hat trick on Friday, with Crosby assisting on all three tallies. The 19-year-old phenom added a goal on the night, while former Canadien Jocelyn Thibault came away with 28 saves.

Crosby, who racked up a goal and a career-high five assists in the Philadelphia win, now has 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) during a seven- game point-scoring streak. The star center leads all NHL players with 51 points and 35 helpers on the season.

Malone has been red-hot as well, compiling four goals and three assists over his last two games.

The news off the ice wasn't as good for the Penguins on Friday, as the club announced that Canadian executive Jim Balsillie has pulled out of a purchase agreement to buy the club.

The announcement comes less than a week before gaming officials are set to award licenses for stand-alone slot casinos for Pittsburgh. According to several reports, one of the bidders, Isle of Capri, has pledged $290 million for a new arena for the Penguins if it is awarded the slots license.

Montreal, meanwhile, comes in having won two straight and three of its last four contests. The Habs were last in action on Thursday, when they came through with a 4-2 triumph over Tampa Bay at the Bell Centre.

Saku Koivu scored twice in the third period, including the go-ahead marker with Montreal shorthanded. The Canadiens' captain then sealed the win with an empty-net goal.

Sheldon Souray notched three assists from Montreal, while goaltender Cristobal Huet stopped 41 of 43 shots on the night.

The Canadiens, who will wrap up a four-game homestand, are expected to get left wing Chris Higgins back in the lineup tonight. The third-year pro had eight goals and five assists in 13 games before tearing a ligament in his left ankle in a loss to New Jersey on November 4.

Pittsburgh won three of the four matchups between the clubs in 2005-06, including both meetings at the Bell Centre. The Penguins had gone winless in 10 straight games (eight losses, two ties) in Montreal prior to last season.

© 2006 The Sports Network