Hats Off to Sir Sidney. Pens Destroy Habs, Wrap Up Homestand

On a night where the Pens turned in what was perhaps their best team effort of the season; Chris Kunitz finally snapped out of his goal drought by potting a third period marker on a breakaway; Billy Guerin put up 3 assists; the Pens consecutive home sellout streak hit 125 games (a new team record); and Marc-Andre Fleury was nothing short of stellar between the pipes, Sidney Crosby managed to steal the show by netting his third career Hat Trick as the Pens won in commanding fashion.

If you watched the game on FSN Pittsburgh, hearing someone recap all 3 of Sid's goals right now would be torturous.

FSN took the liberty of showing us all 3 of Sid's goals at least 12 times before the end of the broadcast.

After Crosby's first 2 tallies, Mike Rupp potted his third goal of the season by banging home a Mark Eaton point shot in front of the net.

3 goals in 12 games for Rupper puts him on pace to score 20 this season. Tell someone that 2 months ago and they punch you in the face.

Sid completed the trick before the end of the 2nd period, which signaled the end of the line for Habs' goaltender Jaroslav Halak.

After the ever consistent Penguin-killer Tomas Plekanec scored to spoil MAFs shutout bid, the Pens answered back with two more goals.

Alex Goligoski scored on the power play to extend his points streak to 8 games.

Then, late in the third, Chris Bourque capped off his most impressive performance as a Penguin by chipping the puck up the wall to spring Chris Kunitz on a breakaway.

Kunitz froze Price like a box of Mrs. P's pierogies before slipping the puck through the gaping five hole for his first goal of the season.

The Flower turned aside 23 of 24 shots in another sparkling performance.

Hal Gill took 2 separate delay of game penalties. It's nice when those don't go against you, but rather in your favor. Peace out Gillzy.

Kris Letang once again led all Penguin skaters in ice time, logging over 23 minutes.

He's been eating up the minutes in Gonchar's absence, but he isn't showing up on the score sheet as much as we all had hoped he would this season. Be patient, the points will come, this kid is playing some great two-way hockey.

Speaking of the absence of all-world Russian defensemen, how disgusting is Montreal's blue line corps without Andrei Markov?

Sidney Crosby now has 9 goals on the season... just 2 behind Alexander Blowvechkin for the league lead.

See you in Ohio on Friday night.

Let's Go Pens