RICKARD RAKELL

PITTSBURGH — (AP) — Kris Letang found another way to surprise Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Crosby scored two goals, Letang returned 12 days after the second stroke of his career and the Penguins defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 on Saturday night. He converted a rebound from the left faceoff dot for his 12th as the Penguins scored with the man advantage in their fifth straight game. The 35-year-old Letang suffered his second stroke on Nov. 28 after dealing with a series of debilitating headaches. The condition also led to his second stroke, which was described by team physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas as “smaller” than the one Letang previously endured.

Sidney Crosby scored two goals, defenseman Kris Letang returned 12 days after the second stroke of his career and the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-1.

One Russian Stanley Cup winner is staying put.

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 Penguins were mired in a lengthy, late-season losing streak and Crosby sat on the precipice of another NHL milestone. It was his 158th career three-point game, tying Guy Lafleur and Joe Sakic for 11th in league history. “I think there’s a lot to like about our game,” Predators coach John Hynes said. CROSBY CLIMBS THE RANKSCrosby passed Jari Kurri for 22nd place on the NHL’s career points list with his assist on Zucker’s goal. At 1,400 points, Crosby is two behind Alex Ovechkin for 21st in league history.

Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf says he will retire at the conclusion of the regular season.

Marc-Andre Fleury may have been the biggest winner at the NHL trade deadline.

Marc-Andre Fleury may have been the biggest winner at the NHL trade deadline, getting dealt by the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks to the potentially contending Minnesota Wild. Minnesota acquired the biggest name available on Monday, adding a three-time Stanley Cup winner. The bold move boosts the Wild's chances of making the playoffs and perhaps making a deep run for the first time since reaching the 2003 Western Conference finals.

Some NHL players say they are unsettled by word that a positive COVID-19 test during the Winter Olympics in China could lead to a long quarantine.