Crosby looks good in first game back from upper body injury

PITTSBURGH Sidney Crosby returned from an upper-body injury to pick up a goal and two assists and the Pittsburgh Penguins drilled the Dallas Stars 5-1 on Wednesday night.

The Pittsburgh captain missed three games after getting hurt last week, the latest setback during a forgettable early opening quarter of the season for the perennial Stanley Cup contenders.

Crosby provided Pittsburgh with a needed spark. He set up Jake Guentzel for a goal less than 4 minutes into the game and provided a highlight-reel marker later in the opening period when he raced to the net and smacked in a rebound past Anton Khudobin to give Pittsburgh a three-goal lead.

LIGHTNING 7, PANTHERS 3

TAMPA, Fla. — Steven Stamkos had a goal and three assists and Tampa Bay beat Florida to reclaimed the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

0 RANGERS 5, ISLANDERS

NEW YORK — Alexandar Georgiev stopped 29 shots for his first career shutout, Filip Chytil scored for the fifth straight game, and the Rangers beat the crosstownrival Islanders.

CAPITALS 4, BLACKHAWKS 2

WASHINGTON — Tom Wilson, Andre Burakovsky and Michal Kempny scored to give Washington an early lead, and the Capitals held off Chicago.

SABRES 5, FLYERS 2

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Evan Rodrigues had a goal and an assist in Buffalo’s four-goal first period, and the Sabres extended their NHL-best winning streak to seven games.

HURRICANES 5, MAPLE LEAFS 2

RALEIGH, N.C. — Trevor van Riemsdyk and Justin Williams scored 22 seconds apart in the first period, sending Carolina past Toronto.

RED WINGS 3, BRUINS 2, OT

DETROIT — Andreas Athanasiou tied it midway through the third period and scored 49 seconds into overtime to lift Detroit past Boston.

DEVILS 5, CANADIENS 2

NEWARK, N.J. — Pavel Zacha scored twice, Taylor Hall had a goal and an assist, and New Jersey beat Montreal.

PREDATORS 4, BLUES 1

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Pekka Rinne made 28 saves to set an NHL record for wins by a goalie from Finland, and Nashville spoiled Craig Berube’s first game as St. Louis’ coach.

WILD 6, SENATORS 4

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Eric Staal scored his second goal of the game with 5:58 left and Minnesota overcame a sloppy third period to beat Ottawa.