Sidney Crosby scores twice in Game 2, answers ‘what happened to Sidney Crosby?’

Before the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Game 2 against the New York Rangers, Sportsnet had the latest in a series of “what’s wrong with Sidney Crosby?” segments, as the captain had one goal in his last 19 postseason games. 

(He had nine assists in that span, but c’mon, that doesn’t fit the narrative.)

After the Penguins’ 4-3 win over the Rangers on Saturday night, the story changed: Sidney Crosby is still Sidney Crosby, with two goals in 4:39 late in the second period that blew open the game.

His first goal came on a backhand shot off a rebound, thanks to Patric Hornqvist’s strong drive to the net:

Just like that, the Penguins had emphatically rallied from a 1-0 hole created by Derek Stepan’s first-period goal. 

Was it perfect? Not at all. The Penguins took seven minor penalties, their second straight undisciplined game. But the Rangers managed only one power-play goal on seven chances, and the Penguins posted two power-play goals of their own via Brandon Sutter and Chris Kunitz.

Crosby also had a scary moment in the third period, colliding with Carl Hagelin of the Rangers.

He said after the game that he felt the collision was accidental. "I don't know what hit me, if it was shoulder, stick, his head. It could have been anything,” he said.

Whatever the case, Crosby bounced back up and was back on the ice later in the period. Which was only appropriate, given how the Penguins bounced back in Game 2.