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Koivu, Canadiens go for third straight win

Dec 16, 2006 - 4:27 PM Pittsburgh (15-11-50 at Montreal (18-8-5) 7:00 pm EST

MONTREAL (Ticker) -- Sidney Crosby is arguably the hottest player in the NHL right now.

Crosby, the first selection in the 2005 draft, leads the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.

The center led Pittsburgh with a goal and three assists and Ryan Malone had a hat trick in a 7-4 victory over the New York Islanders on Friday. Crosby, who had a six-point game in an 8-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, leads the NHL with 51 points.

The Penguins have won four straight.

Saku Koivu is one reason the Montreal Canadiens have been somewhat of a surprise this season. Koivu, riding a four-game points streak, has four goals and three assists during his run and scored two goals in a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.

Koivu broke open a 2-2 tie with two goals just under six minutes apart in the third period. His first goal was a shorthanded tally which gave the Canadiens a 4-3 lead before he added an empty-netter to seal the victory.