Crosby leads Pens past Flyers

Sidney Crosby scored his fifth goal of the series and became the Pittsburgh Penguins career post-season points leader in a 5-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.

The Penguins lead the firstround playoff series 3-1 as its shifts to Pittsburgh for Game 5 on Friday.

Matt Murray stopped 26 shots for his second shutout of the series and the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins are a win away from playing in the second round for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons.

Crosby scored in the second period for a 4-0 lead and passed Pittsburgh owner and Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux for most playoff points with 173.

The Flyers were already on their second goalie by the time Crosby scored. The Penguins chased Brian Elliott early in the period after the maligned goalie allowed his 14th goal of the series. Michal Neuvirth relived Elliott and it didn’t matter. Neuvirth lost track of the puck behind the net and had his head turned to the right when Crosby found it and snapped it under the goalie’s left skate.

The Flyers were confused. The Penguins were composed.

And it so it goes in Philly, the Flyers are on the brink of another empty season without the Stanley Cup.

Sean Couturier (who had career highs with 31 goals and 76 points) was injured Tuesday at practice in a vicious collision with teammate Radko Gudas; the Pens played without top-line forward Patric Hornqvist because of an undisclosed injury.