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Crosby makes return to homeland a winning one

Pittsburgh's Colby Armstrong, left, Sidney Crosby, center, and Ryan Malone celebrate a goal on Wednesday during their NHL match against the Oilers in Edmonton, Canada. PHOTO: AP

Sidney Crosby made his first National Hockey League visit to Western Canada a triumphant one on Wednesday, helping Pittsburgh beat Edmonton 4-2 in the city where Wayne Gretzky became a legend.

Crosby, the heir apparent to Gretzky as the NHL's breakout superstar, assisted on three of the Penguins' four goals in the final period.

When the NHL returned after a labor fight wiped out the entire 2004-2005 season, the schedule kept teams from opposite ends of North America from going to every city more than once every three years.

As a result, "Sid the Kid" played 186 regular-season games without visiting the three Western Canada clubs. The 20-year-old prodigy was due to play at Calgary yesterday and Vancouver tomorrow.

Edmonton led 2-0 but goals by Maxime Talbot, Kris Letang, Colby Armstrong and Ryan Whitney lifted the Penguins to victory for the fifth time in six games.

In other NHL action on Wednesday it was:

* Columbus 5, Colorado 4

* Atlanta 4, NY Islanders 3 (SO)

* New Jersey 4, Boston 3 (OT)

* Ottawa 5, Florida 4

* Philadelphia 3, Minnesota 1

* Vancover 3, Chicago 2

* San Jose 3, Dallas 2

* Phoenix 4, Los Angeles 1

* Anaheim 4, Buffalo 1
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