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The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH -- Sidney Crosby broke Mario Lemieux's Pittsburgh franchise career record for assists on Michael Bunting's power-play goal and the Penguins beat the New York Islanders, 3-2, on Sunday night.
"I want to congratulate Sid on setting the team's assist record," Lemieux said in a statement released by the team. "He's an amazing player and we're so fortunate to have him in Pittsburgh. I look forward to even more great things from him."
Crosby has 1,034 assists, good for 12th in NHL history. Only three players -- Ray Bourque, Wayne Gretzky and Steve Yzerman -- have more assists with a single team. The 37-year-old Crosby has played 1,310-regular-season games. Lemieux played 915.
"As the years go on, I think you appreciate those kinds of things a little bit more," said Crosby, who said he plans to give the puck to his father. "It's not why you play by any means, but to get (the record) and to get that kind of reception, it means a lot."
Philip Tomasino added the deciding power-play goal in the third for Pittsburgh, which has 14 goals with the man advantage in its last 13 games. Anthony Beauvillier also scored to help the Penguins win for the seventh time in their last eight home games.
Alex Nedeljkovic made 29 saves in his first start since Dec. 17.
Kris Letang missed the game because of a lower-body injury, and defenseman Nathan Clurman made his NHL debut.
Anders Lee scored two third-period goals for the Islanders, who fell behind 3-0 before their rally fell short.
Marcus Hogberg stopped 38 shots during his first start since April 28, 2021.
Takeaways
Islanders: Have lost five of their last eight games after splitting the back-to-back, home-and-home series with Pittsburgh.
Penguins: Rebounded from a 6-3 road loss against the Islanders 24 hours ago. Pittsburgh has won 10 of 15 after losing eight of its previous 10 games.
Key moment
Crosby was behind the net when he sent a backhand feed to Bunting, who buried his seventh power-play goal behind Hogberg at 1:36 of the second period, giving the Penguins a 2-0 lead.
Up next
Both teams play again Tuesday. Pittsburgh visits Detroit, while the Islanders begin a home-and-home series at Toronto.
Saturday's game
NEW YORK -- Casey Cizikas and Lee each scored twice and the Islanders beat the Penguins, 6-3, on Saturday night.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Duclair also scored, and Mathew Barzal and Alexander Romanov each had two assists for New York, which had lost three of four. Ilya Sorokin finished with 22 saves.