'Toothless' Crosby leads Penguins into playoffs

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March 22, 2017 5:31 AM

The Canadian ensured the reigning Stanley Cup champions would reach the postseason for a record 11th consecutive season.

Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins scores with one hand on a breakaway as Zach Bogosian of the Buffalo Sabres tries to defend during the first period, at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, on March 21, 2017

Sidney Crosby scored a superb goal and lost a few teeth to help the Pittsburgh Penguins wrap up their playoff berth with a victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.

Canadian star Crosby ensured the reigning Stanley Cup champions would reach the postseason for a record 11th consecutive season after opening the scoring in a 3-1 win.

But the Pittsburgh captain was left feeling groggy at the end of the match after being high-sticked by Evander Kane in the final seconds, a shot that knocked out several of his teeth.

It was left to teammates to enthuse over the Pittsburgh captain's virtuoso opening effort shortly before the end of the first period.

With nothing seemingly on, Crosby gathered the puck behind his own blue line and weaved his way up the ice before finally gently steering a one-handed backhand shot into the net.

It was Crosby's sixth goal in his past three games and an 11th point in the last six contests.

"The play that everyone (messes) around doing in practice and he does it in games," Nick Bonino said. "The sea parted for him there, only 15 seconds left, he turned it on and that's a huge goal at the end of a period."

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan added: "It was a goal-scorer's goal by an elite player."

Bonino, who scored with 5:29 remaining to help give the Penguins a 3-1 win, was satisfied that the playoff berth was in the bag.

"It kind of snuck up on us," Bonino said. "We're happy to clinch and now it's obviously posturing for that top spot and none of the teams in our division want to lose so it should be fun to watch."

"It's playoff hockey already."

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