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James Neal has 3 goals, 2 assists as Penguins top Blue Jackets

Pittsburgh Penguins left wing James Neal (18) passed the puck away from Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin (51) during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Pittsburgh won 5-3.Russell LaBounty/USA Today Sports

Associated Press

The Pittsburgh Penguins are on a record pace halfway through the season. Imagine what they might do if they get healthy.

James Neal scored three times and had two assists and Sidney Crosby added the go-ahead goal and set up two other tallies to lead the Penguins in Columbus, 5-3, on Sunday night.

Their 29 wins eclipsed the previous franchise record for victories through 41 games, snapping a tie with the 1992-93 team which won 56 games and the Stanley Cup.

The Penguins' 59 points are just 1 behind that team that was led by Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr.

The Penguins have done it despite losing defensemen Rob Scuderi, Brooks Orpik, Kris Letang, and Paul Martin for stretches, along with forwards Pascal Dupuis, Chuck Kobasew, and Evgeni Malkin and backup goalie Tomas Vokoun.

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Chris Kunitz added his 21st goal and two assists, and Jeff Zatkoff made 25 saves for the Penguins.

Crosby's shot, which broke a 2-2 tie midway through the third period, was stopped by Curtis McElhinney. But Columbus defenseman Fedor Tyutin plowed into McElhinney, and the puck ended up over the goal line.

Sharks 3, Ducks 1 — Bracken Kearns scored his first NHL goal, Logan Couture netted his 100th, and host San Jose ended Anaheim's 10-game winning streak.

Brent Burns added a goal for the Sharks, who won their fourth straight. Antti Niemi stopped 30 shots in his 21st win of the season.

Maple Leafs 5, Hurricanes 2 — Phil Kessel scored twice, reaching the 20-goal plateau for the sixth straight season, to help host Toronto beat Carolina.

Panthers 4, Canadiens 1 — Brian Campbell, Aleksander Barkov, and Dmitry Kulikov each scored goals to lift Florida over visiting Montreal.

Sabres 2, Capitals 1 — Ryan Miller made 49 saves and host Buffalo beat Washington in a shootout.

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Islanders 5, Wild 4 — Kyle Okposo scored twice in the third period as visiting New York overcame a three-goal deficit to beat Minnesota.

Rangers 4, Lightning 3 — Henrik Lundqvist made 37 saves in his first start in four games, and Mats Zuccarello had a goal and two assists as New York beat host Tampa Bay.

Jets 2, Avalanche 1 — Blake Wheeler scored at 4:58 of OT as visiting Winnipeg beat slumping Colorado.

Canucks 2, Flames 0 — Jannik Hansen scored the winning goal in the final minute of the first period and rookie goalie Eddie Lack made 18 saves to lead Vancouver in Calgary.

Blues 3, Stars 2 — Kevin Shattenkirk scored a power-play goal 4:49 into overtime for visiting St. Louis.