Sidney Crosby's first-period goal against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday secured the 20th point-per-game season for the Pittsburgh Penguins captain, breaking a tie with Wayne Gretzky. The goal also clinched Crosby's 14th 80-point season since entering the NHL during the 2005-06 season, putting him three behind Gretzky for that record.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby recorded his 80th point of the season when he scored a goal 11:11 into the first period of a game against the Buffalo Sabes on Thursday night. The point ensur

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been playing some strikingly good hockey in recent weeks, all things considered. Then came Tuesday night in Tampa Bay. The Penguins played one of their worst games of the season and were thoroughly outclassed by the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 6-1 setback that was every bit as one-sided as the score would indicate.

Later in the first period, the Tampa Bay Lightning scored four goals in 3:47, claiming a 4-0 lead and ultimately a 6-1 win at Amalie Arena on Tuesday. Perhaps the participants saw this coming. Coach Mike Sullivan stopped the morning skate Tuesday to tear into his team for “going through the motions.

The Lightning host the Penguins in an Eastern Conference showdown. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL’s games.