What's happened
Penguins convert a 2-on-1 in overtime to beat the Canadiens after surrendering a four-goal swing. Malkin records 1,411th point; Crosby ties for seventh in NHL history with 1,109th assist. Silovs earns win with 20 saves. This opens Pittsburgh’s season with a win as Montreal battles back from a 5-1 deficit.
What's behind the headline?
Context and implications
- Pittsburgh’s overtime win caps a tense start to the season, signaling the team’s willingness to lean on veteran leadership to drive late-game offense. Malkin’s milestone point underscores his enduring influence, while Crosby’s milestone assist solidifies his place among the league’s all-time greats.
- Montreal’s resilience—erasing a five-goal deficit to force OT—shows the Canadiens possess a dangerous late-game punch, suggesting they will be a persistent test for Eastern Conference opponents.
What to watch next
- Can Pittsburgh sustain this momentum as they host Winnipeg and then play six of seven on the road?
- Will Montreal’s offense convert these late surges into a longer win streak?
How we got here
The Penguins and Canadiens met as Pittsburgh opened its season while Montreal aimed to rebound after last season’s Eastern Conference Final appearance. The Penguins are continuing with core players Crosby and Malkin, and have added Kindel from injured reserve who contributed in the win. Montreal looks to establish momentum after a dramatic late-game comeback.
Our analysis
AP News reported the Penguins and Canadiens played a high-scoring opener, with Malkin and Novak among the key contributors. Sidney Crosby added an assist, tying Joe Thornton for seventh in career assists. Montreal’s comeback highlighted Caufield, Kreider, and Demidov's goals in the third. Mario Lemieux participated in a ceremonial puck drop to celebrate Pittsburgh’s 60th season.
Go deeper
- Will Crosby break more records this season?
- Can Montreal build on this comeback to secure a early-season momentum?
More on these topics
-
Pittsburgh Penguins - Ice hockey team
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. They compete in the National Hockey League as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference.
-
Sidney Crosby - Canadian ice hockey player
Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. Nicknamed "Sid the Kid" and dubbed "The Next One,"
-
Evgeni Malkin - Russian ice hockey player
Evgeni Vladimirovich Malkin (Russian: Евге́ний Влади́мирович Ма́лкин, IPA: [jɪvˈɡʲenʲɪj ˈmalkʲɪn]; born 31 July 1986) is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a centre and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "Geno", Malkin began his career with his hometown club Metallurg Magnitogorsk, playing for their junior and senior teams. He was then selected second overall in the 2004 NHL entry draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, though an international transfer dispute delayed the start of his NHL career until 2006. Malkin is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of the modern NHL era and a quintessential piece of the Pittsburgh Penguins' salary cap era success. After his first season with the Penguins, Malkin was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best rookie. In his second season, he helped lead Pittsburgh to the 2008 Stanley Cup Final and was a runner-up for the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's most valuable player during the regular season. The following season saw Malkin win the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the points leader in the NHL and again placed second for the Hart Trophy. He and the Penguins...