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Crosby's streak ends as Islanders edge Pens in SO

Dec 30, 2010 - 5:14 AM Uniondale, NY (Sports Network) - P.A. Parenteau notched the game-winner in the fourth round of the shootout, as the New York Islanders topped Pittsburgh, 2-1, at Nassau Coliseum in a game which saw Sidney Crosby's league-best scoring streak ended at 25 games.

"It would have been nice to keep things going, but it was just one of those games," said Crosby, of his streak that was the longest since Mats Sundin went 30 straight with a point for Quebec in 1992. "Sometimes, it's easy to look back. I just try to go out there and do the same things."

Parenteau started the round with a wicked forehander that hit the net just under the crossbar at the right post. Mark Letestu had a chance to keep the game alive for the visitors, but Rick DiPietro smothered his shot with his pads to end the contest.

"It wasn't me -- it was a complete team effort," DiPietro said about stopping Crosby for the first time since early November. "It's a defensive core that played with a lot of focus and a lot of heart tonight and the offense chipped in. When we are playing smart in our defensive zone and we aren't running around making stupid mistakes at our blue line, we are a good hockey team."

Josh Bailey potted the lone regulation goal and DiPietro halted 37 shots for the Islanders, who have won five of their last seven games.

Chris Conner provided the only offense for the Penguins, who have lost two of three. Marc-Andre Fleury made 25 saves in defeat.

Following a scoreless first period, the Islanders took a 1-0 lead just 34 seconds into the middle period when Bailey beat Fleury from a sharp angle on the left wing.

Conner then followed up a Tyler Kennedy rebound and shoved it past DiPietro at the left post to tie the game with 3:27 left in the second.

Just after the midway point of the third period, DiPietro fanned on a clearing attempt at the side of his net, but Kennedy, caught off guard with all the open space, pushed the puck wide of the left post.

Pens defenseman Kris Letang was granted a penalty shot -- his first career try -- with 7:01 left in regulation after Isles defenseman Bruno Gervais dragged him down, but he missed the net high and wide with a backhander.

Fleury made a glove stop on a blistering slapper from Milan Jurcina as the clock ticked under 4 1/2 minutes to play.

Crosby had a shot muted in the low slot with 90 seconds left in overtime, then was largely sealed away from the puck during a Pittsburgh power play that consumed the final 1:14 of OT.

"You could just feel it in warm up," Bailey admitted of the buzz in the building. "It was nice coming out to a big crowd and it definitely gave us a big boost. It was a big help in the victory because it's like having a seventh player out there on the ice."

Game Notes

Crosby finished with 26 goals and 24 assists during his run...He equaled Brett Hull (1991-92), Wayne Gretzky (1990-91), Bernie Nicholls (1984-85) and Bryan Trottier (1981-82), who also put together 25 straight with at least one point...Franchise icon Marion Lemieux had a 28-game run from the start of the 1995-96 season and holds the Penguins record with 46 straight games with at least one point from October 31, 1989-February 14, 1990.