Sidney Crosby leads Penguins over slumping Wild

Field Level Media|published: Sun 9th March, 18:48 2025

Mar 9, 2025; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Frederick Gaudreau (89) and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby (87) face-off during the first period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

Captain Sidney Crosby scored two goals as the Pittsburgh Penguins spoiled Marc-Andre Fleury's final game against his former team, courtesy of a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday in Saint Paul, Minn.

Evgeni Malkin also tallied and Tristan Jarry made 29 saves in his first start since being summoned from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Monday. He notched his first NHL win since Dec. 23.

Fleury turned aside 19 shots against the franchise he spent his first 13 NHL seasons with. The three-time Stanley Cup winner and former Vezina Trophy recipient announced prior to the season that he intends to retire at the conclusion of this campaign.

Fleury, 40, also made his 1,015th career start to pass Hall of Famer Roberto Luongo for second place on the NHL's all-time list.

Minnesota's Ryan Hartman converted what turned into a four-on-one rush for a power-play goal, trimming Pittsburgh's lead to 2-1 with 5:06 remaining in the third period.

Crosby, however, scored into the empty net with 1:13 to play, sending the Wild to their fifth loss in the last seven games. Minnesota fell to 14-14-1 at home, a stark contrast to its 22-10-3 road record.

After absorbing a hit from Minnesota defenseman Jake Middleton behind the net, Malkin regained his footing and skated toward the right post. The former Hart Trophy recipient leaned up his own rebound following a feed from defenseman Kris Letang to open the scoring with 4:38 remaining in the second period.

Malkin's goal was his 13th of the season. His 1,338 career points tied Hall of Famers Dave Andreychuk and Denis Savard for 31st place on the NHL's all-time list.

Crosby chipped a sharp-angle shot from the left circle past Fleury to double the advantage at 9:21 of the third period.

Much to the home crowd's vocal displeasure, Minnesota failed to muster much on a four-minute power play during the second period. The Wild passed along the perimeter for much of the advantage before registering two shots in the final minute.

--Field Level Media

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