Penguins 3, Leafs 1

Some news and notes, nuggets and quotes from the Penguins’ 3-1 victory against Toronto at Consol Energy Center Monday night:

*** Sidney Crosby broke a 1-1 tie at 13:57 of the third period with his 19th goal of the season. Crosby scored while Toronto defenseman Dion Phaneuf, who had been matched against him most of the game, was on the bench because the Maple Leafs had just been called for icing and were not allowed to change their personnel. Crosby pointed out that coach Dan Bylsma hadn’t been making a major effort to keep him away from Phaneuf, but having it work out that way certainly didn’t hurt the Penguins on the game-winner.

*** The Penguins played without center Evgeni Malkin and their top four defensemen – Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Rob Scuderi and Kris Letang – and no fewer than seven of their 18 skaters started the season in the American Hockey League. “We’re not sheltering anyone,” defenseman Matt Niskanen said. “They’re stepping right in there. They’ve been fantastic. They’ve done everything they’re supposed to do.”

*** The Penguins have won four games in a row overall and have an eight-game winning streak at home.

*** The Penguins lost forward Jayson Megna after he got an apparent leg injury in a collision with Toronto goalie Jonathan Bernier during the third period. Bylsma said he is day-to-day and unlikely to play when the Penguins visit the New York Rangers Wednesday.

*** Crosby’s goal extended his scoring streak to seven games and gives him a team-leading four game-winners.

*** Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo had a game-high six hits and dropped Maple Leafs forward Jerry D’Amigo with one that earned him an “illegal check to the head minor” in the third period. The league announced after the game that Bortuzzo will not face supplemental discipline for that hit. “(D’Amigo) tried to lean forward, chip it by the boards and go in on a breakaway,” Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. “Robert gets body-on-body contact. (D’Amigo) is low because he’s reaching for the puck. It’s a big hit.”

*** Penguins rookie defenseman Philip Samuelsson made his NHL debut. He logged 15 minutes, 43 seconds of ice time.

*** Another rookie defenseman, Brian Dumoulin, made his second NHL appearance and recorded his first point, an assist on Chris Conner’s goal 39 seconds into the opening period.

*** Joe Vitale’s assist on Conner’s goal gives him one in three consecutive games, a career-high.

*** It’s not enough of a sample size just yet, but Vitale looks like he might be more effective on the wing than he is at center. His speed is more evident there, and he seems to be more creative.

*** Morgan Rielly’s power-play goal at 6:03 of the second period snapped the Penguins’ run of 18 consecutive penalty-kills. That’s one shy of the season-best streak they had in November.

*** Vitale, on Bortuzzo’s performance: “I thought someone slipped gunpowder in his pregame meal this afternoon. He was on fire. He was something. He was fun to watch. A huge lift for the team. One of his best [games] by far.”

*** The Penguins shut out Toronto winger James van Riemsdyk, who had four goals in his previous two games at Consol Energy Center.

*** Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who made 25saves, is 6-1 in his past seven starts, allowing just 10 goals during that time. He is 14-2, with one no-decision, in his past 17 starts at home.

*** The Penguins have allowed just five goals in the past 265 minutes of play at Consol Energy Center.

*** The Penguins have won the season series against Toronto for the fourth time in five years.

*** Brandon Sutter’s empty-net goal with 3.6 seconds left in regulation also was the Penguins’ first shorthanded goal of the season.

*** Bortuzzo’s assist on Crosby’s goal was his first point of the season.

*** Rookie defenseman Olli Maatta logged a season-high 24:17 of ice time.

*** Conner’s goal extended his point streak to three games, matching the longest of his career.

*** The Penguins did not have a healthy scratch.