Penguins defeat Flyers, gain in Metropolitan

PITTSBURGH-- Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist to help the Pittsburgh Penguins pull within three points of first in the Metropolitan Division with a 5-4 overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday.
Bryan Rust tipped in a shot from Crosby at 2:25 of overtime for his 13th goal of the season.

"They were two] important points," Crosby said. "Unfortunately, we couldn't finish it off in regulation, but we did some good things, especially in the second and third. We created a lot and found a way to win in overtime."
***[WATCH: [All Flyers vs. Penguins highlights]*
Matt Murray made 41 saves for Pittsburgh (43-27-6), which is second in the division behind the Washington Capitals and three points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Penguins swept the season series against the Flyers, 4-0-0.
Petr Mrazek made 19 saves on 21 shots in relief of Alex Lyon for the Flyers (38-25-13), who are three points ahead of the New Jersey Devils for the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

Crosby gave Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead 17 seconds into the third period when he held off Sean Couturier before shooting over Shayne Gostisbehere's stick and Mrazek's glove. He has a goal in three straight games.
"We marvel at what [Crosby and Evgeni Malkin] do night in and night out," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "It's a privilege to be a coach for this group of players. I can say this, we don't take a day of it for granted because we know how talented this group is and when we play the game the right way, we're a good hockey team.
"These are some of the best players of their generation. There are nights where I drive home after games and replay the game in my mind, and I marvel at some of the things that these guys do."
Couturier tied it 4-4 with 43 seconds remaining on a rebound after Gostisbehere's one-timer popped out of Murray's glove.

"It's a big point," Couturier said. "We played a pretty good game overall. For sure, it's disappointing not coming out of here with two points, but we can build on this and maybe do a little better in little areas. Overall, I think we can build on this and keep going."
Pittsburgh scored twice in the first 2:37 of the second period to take a 3-2 lead.
Patric Hornqvist tied it at 2-2 with a power-play goal 37 seconds into the period before Malkin put Pittsburgh ahead 3-2 on his 42nd goal of the season. Malkin shot through Andrew MacDonald's legs and Lyon's five-hole at 2:37.
Mrazek replaced Lyon, who made eight saves on 11 shots, after Malkin's goal.

"[Getting pulled is] not for me to really speculate on," Lyon said. "It worked and Petr played really well, came in and he did his job. So, can't look anywhere else but myself."
Jordan Weal, who had three points (one goal, two assists), tied the game at 3-3 with a power-play goal at 17:10 of the second.
Travis Sanheim gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead at 5:03 of the first period when he shot past Murray's glove from between the face-off circles.
Derick Brassard tied it 1-1 at 9:38 after Conor Sheary sent a flip pass over Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov and forward Valterri Filppula. Brassard, who has six points (two goals, four assists) during a six-game point streak, collected it for a breakaway before shooting over Lyon's blocker at 9:38.

Brandon Manning gave Philadelphia a 2-1 lead at 11:07 of the first.

Goal of the game

Rust's goal at 2:25 of overtime.

Save of the game

Murray's save on Jakub Voracek at 18:23 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Crosby's goal 17 seconds into the third period.

They said it

"They're a good team. We're a good team. It's a hard playoff-type game and they're going to get their momentum swings and we just try to manage them the best we can."-- Penguins forward Bryan Rust
"I thought we played a good hockey game. As much as we needed two points, and you don't want to take anything less, we'll build on the positives. We got another point. … We just have to keep pushing forward and keep playing well." -- Flyers coach Dave Hakstol

Need to know

The Penguins swept the season series against the Flyers for the first time since 2006-07 (8-0-0) They scored five goals in each of their four wins against Philadelphia this season. … Hornqvist has seven points (six goals, one assist) in his past eight games. … Couturier has eight points (two goals, six assists) in his past seven games. … The Flyers have earned at least one point in five straight games (3-0-2).

What's next

Flyers:At the Dallas Stars on Tuesday (8:30 p.m. ET; FS-SW+, NBCSP, NHL.TV)
Penguins:At the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TVAS, FS-D, ATTSN-PT, NHL.TV)