Penquins' always dangerous Sidney Crosby makes Islanders pay
Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins checks Adam Pelech #3 of the New York Islanders into the boards during the second period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Credit: Getty Images
PITTSBURGH — Turnovers never are a good idea in the NHL, but they are a particularly bad idea when playing against the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby.
The Pittsburgh superstar had a goal and two assists in a 6-3 victory over the Islanders on Thursday night, and Islanders coach Barry Trotz noticed a trend in his team’s sometimes sloppy play.
“I thought some of the most dangerous turnovers were with Crosby’s line out there,” he said. “I mean, you’ve got to be a little bit smarter with the puck when those guys [are on the ice].
“There’s a reason he’s one of the greatest players we’ve seen in this game, ever. So if you want to give him chances to score, he’s going to do it, and he’s done it for a long time.”
On the biggest goal of the game, Ross Johnston turned over the puck and Crosby took it, then set up Jake Guentzel for a goal that made it 3-1 in the second period.
Before the game, Casey Cizikas said of the 34-year-old Crosby: “It’s pretty remarkable. He’s had an unbelievable career. He’s one of those guys that even now, kind of in the later part of his career, I think guys would take him over anybody else in the league.
“So it speaks volumes, how he conducts himself, how he plays the game. He plays hard . . . It’s great to see for other players. It’s a star of the league. That’s the face of the NHL, and the way he plays, I think a lot of guys look up to it.”
All-Star Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech often draws Crosby as an assignment. He was not on the ice for any of Crosby’s three points.
Before the game, Pelech said, “There’s not much I can say about him that you [reporters] don’t know. Obviously, an incredible player. He’s always a handful. It’s a big responsibility to be matched up against him.”
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
More Islanders
