Crosby sets Penguins assist record in win against Islanders

PITTSBURGH -- Sidney Crosby got his 1,034th NHL assist, passing Mario Lemieux for the most in the history of the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 3-2 win against the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday.

In 1,310 games since being selected No. 1 overall in the 2005 NHL Draft, the 37-year-old center has the second most points (1,636) and goals (602) all-time for the Penguins, trailing Lemieux (1,723 points; 690 goals, 1,033 assists in 915 games).

“I appreciate those moments probably more and more, but as far as looking at the lists and thinking about that, it's not something I think about a whole lot,” Crosby said. “So, I think I have a lot of appreciation for what the guys have done on that list, especially Mario, what he means to the city and the organization. But yeah, I think all the guys that have played prior to me, it's really nice to be part of that company.”

Michael Bunting had a goal and an assist, and Alex Nedeljkovic made 29 saves for the Penguins (17-16-5), who have won four of six.

Marcus Hogberg made 39 saves in his first NHL start since April, 28, 2021, and Anders Lee scored twice for the second straight game for the Islanders (14-16-7), who won 6-3 against Pittsburgh at home on Saturday.

“All we had to do was focus on scoring the next one and come back here,” New York coach Patrick Roy said. “We lost the first period, we lost the second. We had to find a way to win that third period and give ourselves a chance to win the game in that third period. I didn’t think we competed like we’re capable of.”

Anthony Beauvillier put the Penguins ahead 1-0 at 3:54 of the first period after having two points, each a goal, in his previous 17 games. He tapped in a backhand pass Bunting sent through the crease behind a sliding Scott Mayfield.

“Maybe a little rusty from the beginning,” Hogberg said. “But maybe after, like, the beginning of the second period, I get into the game more.”

Crosby then passed Lemieux in assists with a backhand pass from behind the net to Bunting for a wrist shot in the slot, extending the lead to 2-0 on a power play at 1:36 of the second period.

“He’s a remarkable player,” Bunting said. “Been doing it for a very long time. So, we’re all really happy for him in this room.”

Crosby seemed to break the record at New York on Saturday, originally credited with an assist on a goal from Bunting in the first period before it was taken away in a scoring change.

“It was a little weird, but glad I was able to do it here,” Crosby said. “It's a win. Yeah, it was a little odd the way it went down, for sure.”

In his 20th NHL season, Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 40 points (10 goals, 30 assists) in 38 games.

“He’s one of the best players ever to play, I think, on his backhand,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s just so creative. The accomplishment, the milestone that he’s reached, this is just one more. It’s just more evidence of an amazing career. He’s just an elite player. I’m running out of adjectives for him. He’s terrific.”

Evgeni Malkin pushed it to 3-0 with another power-play goal at 6:57 of the third period.

Lee cut it to 3-1 at 12:59, tipping a point shot from Alexander Romanov, before Bo Horvat got the Islanders to within 3-2 at 16:10.

“We made a nice push there at the end,” Horvat said, “but at the same time, I just didn’t think we executed well enough tonight.”

NOTES: Crosby has the fourth most assists for one NHL franchise, trailing Ray Bourque (1,111 with the Boston Bruins), Wayne Gretzky (1,086 with the Edmonton Oilers) and Steve Yzerman (1,063 with the Detroit Red Wings). ... Pittsburgh defenseman Nate Clurman had four shots on goal and one hit in 11:05 of ice time in his NHL debut. The 26-year-old was selected in the sixth round (No. 161) by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2016 NHL Draft. ... Penguins defenseman Kris Letang did not play with a lower-body injury after leading all skaters with 25:04 of ice time Saturday. Letang continues to be evaluated, Sullivan said. ... The Islanders have allowed seven goals on 15 penalty kills in their past seven games.