Crosby breaks Lemieux's Penguins career assists record in 3-2 victory over the Islanders

PITTSBURGH (AP) — 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.

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.

Evgeni Malkin 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 and Bo Horvat scored 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.

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.

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.

Both teams play again Tuesday. Pittsburgh visits Detroit, while the Islanders begin a home-and-home series at Toronto.

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Pittsburgh Penguins' Anthony Beauvillier (72) returns to the bench after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic stops a shot by New York Islanders' Maxim Tsyplakov (7) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) collides with New York Islanders' Brock Nelson (29) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Anthony Beauvillier, right, celebrates with Matt Grzelcyk (24) and Michael Bunting (8) after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Anthony Beauvillier (72) scores against New York Islanders goaltender Marcus Hogberg (50) as Isaiah George (36) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates after surpassing Mario Lemieux for the team's all-time leader in assists on a goal by Michael Bunting during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

New York Islanders goaltender Marcus Hogberg (50) makes a save against Pittsburgh Penguins' Bryan Rust (17) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Michael Bunting (8) celebrates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby, center, acknowledges the crowd after surpassing Mario Lemieux for the franchise record for most assists during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Michael Bunting (8) celebrates with Sidney Crosby (87) after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Oregon withstood many challenges en route to being the only unbeaten team and the top seed in the College Football Playoff.

However, Ohio State's opening flurry on offense and defense in the first half was too much to overcome as the Big Ten champions saw their hopes of a first national championship dashed with a 41-21 loss in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday night.

“It was definitely shocking. They came out and punched us in the mouth. We tried to make adjustments but it was definitely different,” defensive back Kobe Savage said.

The Ducks (13-1) fell behind three plays into the game when Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith scored on a 45-yard pass from Will Howard and never recovered.

Oregon gave up scores on six of Ohio State's first seven drives. Offensively, the Ducks got into Buckeyes' territory only once on its first six drives and had four three-and-outs before reaching the end zone the seventh time they had the ball.

“We didn’t adjust fast enough,” coach Dan Lanning said.

Dillon Gabriel had four completions of at least 28 yards in the first half in Oregon's 32-31 victory on Oct. 12. That wasn't the case this time as his first long completion — a 44-yarder to Traeshon Holden — didn't come until there were 30 seconds remaining until halftime.

“They dropped eight. First game they played us man. That was their game plan to stop us and they did it to the best of their ability and they succeeded,” said receiver Tez Johnson, who had five catches for 32 yards after having seven for 75 in the first game.

Ohio State had nine plays (seven passing, two rushing) of at least 15 yards in the first half as it took advantage of miscommunication in Oregon's secondary.

“Every time we had bad eyes or miscommunication they capitalized on those moments,” Savage said.

Oregon came into the game leading the Big Ten and ninth in the nation in third-down conversions, but converted only one of four in the first quarter and five of 12 in the first half.

Gabriel said the lack of big plays and not being able to stay on the field early ended up being costly.

“You plan to create explosives, be really good on situational football and move the chains that way. We just didn’t do that on third down,” said Gabriel, who completed 29 of 41 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns. “They had a great plan, like coach said. But if you don’t go get the third you can’t move forward.”

Gabriel was sacked eight times after having a clean pocket in the first meeting. That was due to Oregon being forced to pass the entire second half and running back Jordan James being injured in the first half.

Evan Stewart, the Ducks' second-leading receiver during the season, did not play because of a back injury he suffered in the Big Ten Championship game against Penn State on Dec. 7. Stewart went through pregame warmups but wasn't cleared by trainers.

“It was very shocking because you got to think at Autzen, it was 7-7, 14-14, 21-21. It was pretty back and forth all game long, so to see ’em run up the score a little bit and us not have too much juice, it was a definitely a different … It was a different atmosphere we hadn’t been in this year, for sure,” Stewart said.

The Ducks accomplished plenty in their first season in the Big Ten.

Oregon is losing plenty of starters on both sides of the ball, including Gabriel, who transferred from Oklahoma and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.

“I feel like the seniors set a great standard this season just to show how tough you can be and then it can be done. To go undefeated in your first time in a tough conference like the Big Ten,” Savage said. “I feel like there’s a lot of underclassmen and a lot of young guys that are going to come in and fill those roles and also maintain that standard.”

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Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel warms up before the quarterfinals of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff against Ohio State, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)