BRIAN DUMOULIN

Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to become the sixth player in NHL history to reach 200 career playoff points and the Pittsburgh Penguins throttled the New York Rangers 7-2 to take a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Danton Heinen’s first playoff goal in three years just past the midway point of the third period helped the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 7-4 victory over the New York Rangers.

Artemi Panarin and Frank Vatrano each had a goal and two assists and the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 in Game 2 on Thursday night to even the best-of-seven first-round series.

The physicality of the NHL playoffs is creeping into the crease.

Jesper Fast scored 9 seconds into the third period to break a tie, Sebastian Aho followed with his 22nd goal of the season and the Carolina Hurricanes edged the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 on Sunday to move into first place in the Metropolitan Division.

Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski scored 75 seconds apart late in the third period, and the Dallas Stars stopped Pittsburgh’s 10-game win streak with a 3-2 victory over the Penguins.

Garnet Hathaway scored his third goal in two games, Alex Ovechkin added two assists and the Washington Capitals spoiled Sidney Crosby’s return, routing the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-1.

WASHINGTON — (AP) — Penguins star Sidney Crosby returned for Pittsburgh's game at Washington on Sunday night after he and three teammates were activated from the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list. Coach Mike Sullivan also rejoined the Penguins on Sunday after exiting COVID-19 protocol. The Penguins activated Crosby and defensemen Brian Dumoulin, Marcus Pettersson and Chad Ruhwedel. Sullivan joined them soon after that, part of an outbreak in which eight Penguins and their coach missed time. Sullivan said Dumoulin was able to do more than Crosby while out.

Penguins star Sidney Crosby is expected to play in Pittsburgh’s game at Washington after he and three teammates were activated from the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list.

COVID-19 protocols FILE PHOTO: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the New Jersey Devils at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)The Pittsburgh Penguins are missing two of their players after their COVID-19 tests came back positive. >> Read more trending newsStar center and team captain Sidney Crosby and defenseman Brian Dumoulin missed practice Wednesday and are under COVID protocols, team officials said on Twitter. Coach Sullivan confirms that Sidney Crosby and Brian Dumoulin missed practice after testing positive for COVID-19. — Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 3, 2021Coach Mike Sullivan said previously that having players test positive for the coronavirus is bad luck more than anything, WPXI reported.

Devils Penguins Hockey Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) skates during the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar)PITTSBURGH — (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins placed star center Sidney Crosby and defenseman Brian Dumoulin in the COVID-19 protocol on Wednesday after both tested positive. Coach Mike Sullivan said Crosby is dealing with mild symptoms while Dumoulin remains asymptomatic. Though the overwhelming majority of Penguins have been vaccinated, they've spent the early portion of the season wrangling with COVID-19. Crosby and Dumoulin are the seventh and eighth Penguins to go into the COVID-19 protocol since training camp opened in September.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have placed star center Sidney Crosby and defenseman Brian Dumoulin in the COVID-19 protocol after both tested positive.

Penguins Islanders Hockey Pittsburgh Penguins' Brandon Tanev (13) celebrates with Brian Dumoulin (8) and Teddy Blueger (53) after scoring a goal during the third period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders on Thursday, May 20, 2021, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)UNIONDALE, N.Y. — (AP) — Brandon Tanev scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:36 left and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Islanders 5-4 in Game 3 on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series. Jeff Carter scored twice, Kris Letang had a goal and two assists, and Jason Zucker also scored for the Penguins. Cal Clutterbuck scored twice, Scott Mayfield had a goal and two assists, and Anthony Beauvillier also scored for New York. MORE FANSThe capacity was expanded to 6,250 fans for the Islanders' first home playoff game since Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Carolina on April 28, 2019.

Tristan Jarry made 29 saves for his first shutout of the season and Jake Guentzel scored in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 1-0 victory over the Boston Bruins on Sunday.

Tristan Jarry stopped 27 shots and the Pittsburgh Penguins jumped into second place in the East Division standings with a 3-2 win over Buffalo, eliminating the Sabres from playoff contention.

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) gets a shot past Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) for an overtime goal in an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. More than 15 years in the NHL has taught the Pittsburgh Penguins longtime captain that it's simply part of the business. Having the architect who put together a roster that led the Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cups resign without warning is another. Ad“I think there’s some great people here that will continue to do good work,” Crosby said. Crosby arrived with the top pick in the 2005 draft, and Allvin joined the Penguins as a scout in 2006.