Crosby back on ice for Penguins' victory

Jarkko Ruutu had a goal and 2 assists, and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Islanders 3-1 on Thursday night in Sidney Crosby's first home game in more than two months.

Georges Laraque had a goal and an assist and Evgeni Malkin also scored as the Penguins won their sixth consecutive home game and seventh of nine overall, extending their lead in the Atlantic Division to six points.

Crosby, who had missed the previous seven games and 28 of the past 31 with a high ankle sprain, didn't score. He took 3 shots.

Bruins 4, Maple Leafs 2: Tim Thomas made 30 saves, Phil Kessel and Peter Schaefer each had a goal and an assist and host Boston eliminated Toronto from playoff contention. The Bruins moved into a seventh place tie with idle Philadelphia, while Toronto missed the playoffs for the third straight year.

Rangers 3, Devils 2: Nigel Dawes scored the tiebreaking goal while sliding on his back into Devils goalie Martin Brodeur late in the third period, and New York beat visiting New Jersey for the seventh straight time this season.

Capitals 4, Lightning 3 (OT): Tomas Fleischmann scored with 2:33 left in overtime, and Washington remained 2 points out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference after beating host Tampa Bay.

Sabres 4, Senators 3 (SO): Jason Pominville and Derek Roy scored in the shootout, and visiting Buffalo beat Ottawa. Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller stopped Antoine Vermette and Daniel Alfredsson before Jason Spezza scored on Ottawa's third shootout attempt.

Thrashers 3, Panthers 2: Mark Recchi scored with 6:13 left in the third period to help visiting Atlanta beat Florida and snap a five-game losing streak.