Injuries are piling up for several NHL teams as the playoffs approach. Carolina Hurricanes forward Jordan Staal sat out for a second consecutive game due to a lower-body injury, raising concerns about his availability in the postseason. Teammate Andrei Svechnikov left the last match early, though coach Rod Brind'Amour indicated the injury isn't serious. Meanwhile, Hurricanes' William Carrier is on the mend, having skated in a no-contact jersey for two days.

Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk has recently resumed skating, but uncertainty remains regarding his readiness. The New Jersey Devils are also monitoring Dougie Hamilton's progress, as he recovers from knee surgery, with expectations that he may be back by the second round. In New York, Rangers forward Matt Rempe participated in the morning skate after an upper-body injury, while David Kampf and Jake McCabe exited their previous game with injuries. The Pittsburgh Penguins are dealing with Evgeni Malkin, who is traveling with the team but has missed the last three games due to an upper-body injury.

Sidney Crosby led the Pittsburgh Penguins to a thrilling 1-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators, netting a power-play goal just 1:16 into overtime. This achievement extends Crosby's impressive scoring streak to 10 games, during which he has tallied eight goals and 15 points. Additionally, he continues to build on a remarkable 13-game home point streak. The Penguins' win was aided by Tristan Jarry's strong performance in goal, achieving his first shutout of the season with 31 saves. Jarry's recent struggles included allowing 11 goals in three prior outings, making this shutout significant for his confidence.

Despite the Penguins' success, they were without Evgeni Malkin, who missed his third consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. Ville Koivunen made his NHL debut, adding youthful energy to the roster. The Senators, led by goaltender Anton Forsberg, put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short, managing just 34 shots on goal. The Penguins appeared more energized in the third period, dominating the shot count and showcasing their depth. They capitalized on a late hooking penalty against Ridly Greig to secure the overtime win.

In a thrilling overtime showdown, Sidney Crosby's power-play goal propelled the Pittsburgh Penguins to a narrow 1-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Crosby has been on fire, extending his point streak to ten games while also hitting the milestone of surpassing Jaromir Jagr for the most points against Ottawa in franchise history. This victory ended a three-game slump for the Penguins, with Tristan Jarry showcasing his resilience by recording his first shutout of the season with 31 saves.

Despite being outshot for most of the game, the Penguins capitalized when Ridly Greig was penalized just before the end of the third period. This gave Crosby the opportunity to shine, ripping a one-timer past Senators' goalie Anton Forsberg. The Senators, who still hold a strong position in the wild-card race, saw their two-game winning streak come to an end but remain competitive in a tightly contested Eastern Conference.

Sidney Crosby has marked another monumental milestone in his illustrious career by scoring his 26th goal of the season against the Buffalo Sabres, which also secured his 20th point-per-game season, surpassing Wayne Gretzky. This achievement adds to his impressive tally of 1,676 career points, ranking him fourth in NHL history for points with a single franchise. Crosby's 14th season with at least 80 points puts him just three shy of Gretzky's record of 17. Known for his relentless work ethic and talent, Crosby continues to defy age at 37, demonstrating consistent elite-level play, as highlighted by Penguins coach Mike Sullivan.

This season also saw Crosby reach 1,050 assists, cementing his position among the top ten in all-time assists in the NHL, ahead of hockey legends like Gordie Howe. His achievements this year further showcase his remarkable legacy as a future Hall of Famer.

Marc-Andre Fleury faced off against his former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, for the last time on Sunday, marking a significant moment in his career. Despite Fleury's storied past, it was Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby who shone, leading the Penguins to a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Malkin kicked off the scoring with a power-play goal, while Crosby added two, including a fluke shot that deflected off a teammate. Crosby noted this was his third goal against Fleury, cementing their personal rivalry.

Fleury, reflecting on the game, expressed frustration at the loss, even while acknowledging the competitive spirit he shared with Crosby. The Wild managed a power-play goal to narrow the gap, yet Crosby sealed the game with an empty-netter. Overall, this game not only highlighted the Penguins' resilience but also underscored Fleury's enduring legacy in the league.