But thanks to their captain Sidney Crosby's unreal performance over the past few weeks, the Pens have climbed to within one point of a playoff position and six points out of a top-3 spot in their division.

Crosby scored a third-period empty-net goal and helped on three of Pittsburgh's four first-period goals as the Penguins jumped out to a 4-1 lead. Crosby and Lemieux both have 1,033 assists, which ranks 12th all-time in NHL history.

Crosby reached 1,033 assists in the NHL, tying his mentor for the most in Penguins history, with three in the first period of a 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. He added an empty-net goal at 17:30 of the third period.