MONTREAL — Penguins centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were chosen to compete in the NHL All-Star Game Jan. 25 in Columbus, Ohio.
It is the fifth selection for each, although injuries have limited Crosby to one actual appearance in an All-Star Game, while Malkin has missed one because of injury.
The competing all-star rosters will be determined in a draft by two team captains, who have yet to be identified.
This is the fifth consecutive All-Star Game in which the Penguins will have multiple representatives.
Mario Lemieux, who was picked 13 times, and Jaromir Jagr, selected nine times, are the only Penguins players chosen to take part in more All-Star Games than Crosby and Malkin.
Mates reunited
Left winger Chris Kunitz was reunited with Crosby, his longtime center, against the Canadiens, with David Perron shifting to right wing to complete the line.
Coach Mike Johnston separated Kunitz and Crosby earlier this season, a decision he said Saturday was rooted in injuries and a desire to experiment with his personnel.
“Everybody knows how Chris has played with Sid over the years,” Johnston said, adding that he was “trying to see some different combinations.”
While Crosby and Kunitz have played together for years, Perron was making just his third appearance since being acquired Jan. 2 from Edmonton.
He still is getting acclimated to his new team and co-workers, although Crosby said he already has a pretty good sense of Perron’s game.
“He’s pretty easy to read out there,” Crosby said. “He likes to go to the scoring areas and he likes to shoot the puck. I don’t see it being a big adjustment for anybody.”
Banner building
Montreal has won a few division and conference titles over the years, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at the banners in the Bell Centre.
The only ones hanging there — aside from those honoring the 18 Canadiens who have had their numbers retired — celebrate Stanley Cup championships.
Of course, there are 24 of those, so that doesn’t leave much space for anything else.
It is a legacy without equal in the NHL, and one that tends to make an impression on those who visit.
“As a hockey fan, let alone a player in the league, you know the history here,” Penguins defenseman Paul Martin said. “The great players who have played here, and the Cups.
“It has a mystique about it. It’s always a fun time playing in here. The fans are great. They understand the game, are big hockey fans. It’s always fun to come in here.”
Dave Molinari: Dmolinari@Post-Gazette.com and Twitter @MolinariPG.
First Published: January 11, 2015, 5:00 a.m.
