Crosby Lifts Penguins to 4-3 Win Against Islanders

Sidney Crosby scored with 1:16 remaining in the final period to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 4-3 victory over a stubborn New York Islanders in a thrilling start to the NHL's Friday night schedule.

Crosby's 12th goal of the season was also the 250th of his career, and the Penguins' captain also had an assist. Chris Kunitz had two goals and an assist, Evgeni Malkin had a goal and two assists, and James Neal added two assists. Malkin's goal ending his career-high 15-game scoring drought.

Jeff Zatkoff, playing for the first time since Nov. 2, stopped 32 shots in his fourth NHL start.

Thomas Vanek scored twice for the Islanders in his first game after missing five with an upper-body injury. Vanek has three goals and two assists with New York since being acquired from Buffalo in October, and seven goals and seven assists in 20 games overall this season. Colin McDonald also got his second of the season for the Islanders.

Kevin Poulin made 30 saves for the Islanders. He started his sixth straight game in place of injured starter Evgeni Nabokov, who is out with a groin injury.

With less than 90 seconds left, Kunitz got the puck to Pascal Dupuis behind the net, and he centered it to Crosby, who got the...