NHL: Pittsburgh 3, NY Rangers 2

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Sidney Crosby put Pittsburgh in front in the second period Friday as the Penguins opened defense of their league title with a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers.

Before the game, the Penguins raised the third Stanley Cup banner in the franchise's 41-year history. Pittsburgh overcame a 3-2 deficit in last year's Stanley Cup Finals to defeat Detroit.

Crosby gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead with 7:35 remaining in the second period by putting a slap shot past Henrik Lundqvist. Tyler Kennedy scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal 68 seconds later.

Marian Gaborik brought the Rangers within one 5:56 into the third, but Marc-Andre Fleury was perfect the rest of the way en route to making 25 saves. Fleury was in goal for all 16 of Pittsburgh's playoff victories last season.