Crosby scores twice, Penguins rally by Hurricanes 4-2

PITTSBURGH (AP) Sidney Crosby scored a pair of highlight-reel goals and the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied past the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.

Crosby beat Eddie Lack with a slick backhander in the first and added a redirect from his knees in the second to extend his points streak to 10 consecutive games as Pittsburgh strengthened its grip on seventh in the crowded Eastern Conference playoff race. Phil Kessel had a goal and an assist and Nick Bonino picked up his fifth of the year. Rookie Matt Murray shook off a slow start to finish with 31 saves.

Phillip Di Giuseppe and Riley Nash scored for the Hurricanes. Lack made 44 stops for the Hurricanes, but their postseason hopes took a significant hit after letting an early two-goal lead get away. Carolina is winless in its last three.