Penguins Hold Off Capitals

If this was a preview of the new NHL’s version of Gretzky and Lemieux, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin have much to look forward to in careers that are only beginning but promise to be very special.

Crosby weaved through two defensemen to score during Pittsburgh’s four-goal first period, then helped hold off a Washington Capitals’ rally with a no-look, spin-move pass to set up Ziggy Palffy’s second goal in a 5-4 Penguin victory Tuesday night at Pittsburgh.

Playing before a standing room-only crowd of 16,978, Crosby didn’t disappoint -- even if his team nearly did, almost squandering a 4-0 lead.

Ovechkin was limited to an assist on Matt Pettinger’s goal in the third period, but flashed the skills that have allowed him to score 15 goals in 21 games.

“To see those two kids play at that level would be very exciting to watch,” Capital Coach Glen Hanlon said.

New York Rangers 3, Buffalo Sabres 2 -- Jaromir Jagr scored the decisive goal in a shootout, lifting the Rangers at Buffalo, N.Y. Jagr’s second-period goal was the 557th of his career, moving him into sole possession of 18th place on the NHL list, one ahead of former Boston great John Bucyk.

Montreal 3, Atlanta 2 -- Pierre Dagenais scored the winning goal and Jose Theodore stopped Atlanta in the shootout to lead the Canadiens at Montreal.

Tampa Bay 4, Philadelphia 2 -- Brad Richards and Dan Boyle scored within a 1:26 span late in the second period to break a tie game at Philadelphia.

Ottawa 5, Carolina 3 -- Jason Spezza scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period to lead the Senators at Raleigh, N.C.

Vancouver 3, Chicago 1 -- Markus Naslund and Ryan Kesler scored 68 seconds apart in the second period and Alex Auld made 32 saves at Vancouver, Canada.

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JAGR JUGGERNAUT

The Rangers’ Jaromir Jagr ranks 18th on the all-time NHL goals list. (* -- active)

*--* PLAYER GOALS 1. Wayne Gretzky 894 2. Gordie Howe 801 3. Brett Hull 741 4. Marcel Dionne 731 5. Phil Esposito 717 6. Mike Gartner 708 7. Mark Messier 694 8. Mario Lemieux * 690 9. Steve Yzerman * 680 10. Luc Robitaille * 657 11. Dave Andreychuk * 636 12. Bobby Hull 610 13. Dino Ciccarelli 608 14. Jari Kurri 601 15. Mike Bossy 573 16. Brendan Shanahan * 570 17. Guy Lafleur 560 18. Jaromir Jagr * 557 19. John Bucyk 556 20. Ron Francis 549

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Associated Press