Sidney Crosby kicks puck to himself for stunning score vs. Stars

Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Sidney Crosby kicked the puck around keeper Anton Khudobin and back to himself for a score in the Pittsburgh Penguins' win against the Dallas Stars.

The tenacious tally came midway through the opening period on Wednesday at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The Penguins won 5-1 in Crosby's first time playing after he missed three games due to an upper body injury.

Crosby snatched the puck at the Stars' blue line during the sequence. He skated along the right flank, outpacing the defense until he came up on Khudobin. Crosby's initial shot was denied by the net minder.

But the puck fell back to the ice. Crosby gathered the puck with his right skate, pushing it under Khudobin's stick and back to his backhand. Crosby then shot the puck off of the keeper and into the net, lighting the lamp for a 3-0 Penguins lead.

Pittsburgh added two scores in the second period before Roope Hintz netted the Stars' lone score in teh third frame.

Crosby had one goal and two assists in the victory. He now has nine scores and 13 helpers on the season.

The Penguins battle the Boston Bruins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at TG Garden in Boston.