* Crosby sat in his locker stall following the 4-3 overtime loss to Philadelphia in the Stadium Series on Feb. 23. He asked a team employee about the results from the Columbus and Carolina games earlier in the day. Learning that both teams had won, Crosby knew the Pens were knocked out of the Top 8 in the Eastern Conference, and out of a playoff position.
Crosby sat silently in his stall and stared at the ground. It was as if at that moment he knew the predicament his team was in. And that it needed its captain to lead the club back into a playoff spot.
Crosby has taken the team on his back. He has recorded 5-straight multi-point games, including a 4-point effort (1G-3A) in a critical victory at Montreal on Saturday. In all, Crosby has 13 points (5G-8A) in the last 5 games. Three of those points came against Florida tonight.
Crosby had the same look in 2015-16 with the Pens struggling into December. He went on to assault the league with one of his finest performances to get the Pens into the playoffs and onto a Stanley Cup champion.
Crosby has that same look in his eye right now.
* And for a personal note, Crosby's 1st point of the night (assist) was his 1,200th-career point. Just another huge milestone in a decorated career.
* Defenseman Brian Dumoulin returned to the lineup after missing 3 games with a concussion. His return to the lineup has really helped bolster a blue line that is still missing Kris Letang and Olli Maatta.
Dumoulin showed no hesitation on the ice, and was his usual steady, quiet and efficient self.
* Phil Kessel has gone 16 straight games without a goal, a stretch unlike any in his 13-year NHL career. He joked on Monday that he's "not going to score again this season."
It's easy to see why Phil feels that way after watching him the past few games. Kessel has been getting glorious scoring chances, but is snakebitten like I've never seen before. He had 4-point blank opportunities against the Panthers and couldn't bury the puck.
Kessel hung his head on the bench. The crowd saw this on the scoreboard and gave him a roaring ovation of support. He laughed, and his spirits seemed to be lifted.
Kessel has 25 shots in his past 6 games. If he keeps putting the puck on net one will eventually go in, especially for someone of his caliber. Kessel's biggest challenge will be not getting frustrated.
